Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [uh-bout feys]
- /əˈbaʊt feɪs/
- /əˈbaʊt feɪs/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [uh-bout feys]
- /əˈbaʊt feɪs/
Definitions of about-face word
- countable noun about-face An about-face is a complete change of attitude or opinion. 3
- noun about-face a sharp turn to the opposite direction, esp. in response to a military command 3
- noun about-face a sharp change in attitude or opinion 3
- intransitive verb about-face to turn or face in the opposite direction 3
- noun about-face Military. a turn of 180° from the position of attention. 1
- noun about-face a complete, sudden change in position, direction, principle, attitude, etc.: They've done an about-face in their foreign policy. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of about-face
First appearance:
before 1860 One of the 29% newest English words
An Americanism dating back to 1860-65
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for About-face
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
about-face popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 32% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.
Synonyms for about-face
noun about-face
- u-turn — a U -shaped turn made by a vehicle so as to head in the opposite direction from its original course.
- turnaround — the total time consumed in the round trip of a ship, aircraft, vehicle, etc.
- turnabout — the act of turning in a different or opposite direction.
- reversal — an act or instance of reversing.
- reverse — opposite or contrary in position, direction, order, or character: an impression reverse to what was intended; in reverse sequence.
Antonyms for about-face
noun about-face
- stagnation — the state or condition of stagnating, or having stopped, as by ceasing to run or flow: Meteorologists forecast ozone and air stagnation.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with a
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- Words starting with aboutface