facial

1 of 2

adjective

fa·​cial ˈfā-shəl How to pronounce facial (audio)
1
: of or relating to the face
facial expressions
2
: concerned with or used in improving the appearance of the face
facially adverb

facial

2 of 2

noun

: a treatment to improve the condition or appearance of the facial skin

Examples of facial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The victim suffered deep cranial and facial cuts and lost teeth in the attack. Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 May 2026 Others consciously monitor facial expressions, tone, body language, communication patterns, sensory reactions, and emotional responses throughout the workday to appear acceptable within professional culture. Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Noun
There was a small onboard spa, and the spa manager – who offered massages, facials and other treatments – remembered my name after meeting her just once the first night of the cruise. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 25 May 2026 For facials, Maria is able to coax complexions to a glow that TikTok filters can’t match. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for facial

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin faciālis "face-to-face, direct," from Latin faciēs "appearance, face entry 1" + -ālis -al entry 1

Noun

derivative of facial entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1910, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of facial was in 1746

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Facial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/facial. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

facial

1 of 2 adjective
fa·​cial ˈfā-shəl How to pronounce facial (audio)
: of or relating to the face
facially adverb

facial

2 of 2 noun
: a treatment to improve the condition of the skin of the face

Medical Definition

facial

1 of 2 adjective
fa·​cial ˈfā-shəl How to pronounce facial (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or affecting the face
facial neuralgia
2
: concerned with or used in improving the appearance of the face
3
: relating to or being the buccal and labial surface of a tooth
facially adverb

facial

2 of 2 noun
1
: a treatment to improve the appearance of the face
2
: a facial part (as a nerve or artery)

Legal Definition

facial

adjective
fa·​cial
: involving or apparent from the face of something (as a statute)
facial discrimination
a facial challenge to the law
facially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on facial

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster