face-to-face

adverb or adjective

ˈfās-tə-ˈfās 

1

: within each other's sight or presence

met and talked face-to-face

a face-to-face consultation

2

: in or into direct contact or confrontation

came face-to-face with the problem

Synonyms

• personally
• tête-à-tête

Examples of face-to-face in a Sentence

I won't believe that accusation until I meet with him face-to-face and ask him myself

came face-to-face with her lifelong fear of flying even before the plane left the runway

Recent Examples on the Web

The Army is struggling to reach incoming soldiers with phone and electronics addictions that impede their capacity for face-to-face communication. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025

This transit brings you face-to-face with dynamics in your personal life, as Venus in Pisces emphasizes your desire to create a sanctuary of your own, while Mars retrograde encourages you to revisit repressed emotions within your intimate affairs, romantically or in terms of family. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

Create Warm, Welcoming Spaces Digital spaces are adequate for digital communities, but face-to-face interaction is more powerful—the vibe of a physical space matters. —Kimi Evans, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

This dispersal pattern, the researchers say, increases the risk of infection spread to people in close proximity, as particles are likely to land directly on them, especially during face-to-face conversations or in shared environments. —New Atlas, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

face-to-face

adverb or adjective

ˌfās-tə-ˈfās

1

: within each other's close presence

met face-to-face

2

: in or into direct contact or confrontation

face-to-face with a crisis