face-to-face

[ feys-tuh-feys ]

adjective

1. with the fronts or faces toward each other, especially when close together.
2. involving close contact or direct opposition:

   a face-to-face confrontation of adversaries.

3. noting, relating to, or promoting interaction that takes place in person, as opposed to online interaction or electronic communications: : f2f, F2F, FTF, ftf

   face-to-face classrooms.

face to face

adverb

1. opposite one another
2. in confrontation

Word History and Origins

Origin of face-to-face¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Example Sentences

"More often than not, they're just talking individually on their phones to their phone group chat, rather than face to face."

From BBC

"I wanted to tell you face to face because it felt very much what she would have wanted," she said.

From BBC

Rivers, lakes and snowcaps along the frontier mean the line often shifts, bringing soldiers face to face at many points, sparking a confrontation.

From BBC

But this year, the largest street art event of the city has come face to face with the biggest street protests Kolkata has seen in years.

From BBC

But then this travel-worn woman comes face to face with her younger self, stops dead in her tracks and turns around.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• eye to eye