facial

1 of 2

adjective

fa·​cial ˈfā-shəl 

1

: of or relating to the face

facial expressions

2

: concerned with or used in improving the appearance of the face

facially

ˈfā-shə-lē 

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

Adjective

But a new artificial-intelligence model automates this process by identifying pain in goats—using only their facial expressions. —Lucy Tu, Scientific American, 7 Feb. 2025

Every teenager and 20-something thinks a facial piercing or three is a new form of rebellion. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 3 Feb. 2025

Noun

Related Articles This partnership marks the first time guests will be able to receive scalp assessments and personalized hair product recommendations at Czech’s eponymous clinics, known for her custom facials, massages and other treatments. —Noor Lobad, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025

Selah Spa offers a menu of massages, facials, and other body treatments as well as a sauna with a Himalayan salt wall, a relaxation room, and a cold shower. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing facial

• facial index
• facial nerve

Kids Definition

facial

1 of 2 adjective

fa·​cial ˈfā-shəl 

: of or relating to the face

facially

-shə-lē 

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 

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

-shə-lē 

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