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
ˈfā-shə-lē How to pronounce facial (audio)
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
Using your fingertips or a tool, knead and contour the facial muscles, moving along the jawline and upward toward the highs of the cheekbones and undereye region and across the forehead. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 In August, Chinese authorities introduced an in-vehicle facial recognition system for truck drivers crossing the border, and installation and maintenance work have affected border processing capacity, according to the Mongolian border authorities. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
Zagara Beauty Spa is tiny but hits all the spa sweet spots, offering facials, body wraps and massages. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026 She’s also worked with Pink and Joe Alwyn and has posted regularly about treating Keoghan in the past, giving him facials before various photo shoots. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 27 Oct. 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

Phrases Containing facial

Rhymes for facial

See All Rhymes for facial

Browse Nearby Words

facia
facial
facial disk
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Facial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/facial. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

facial

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