on the face of it

O o

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [on, awn stressed th ee feys uhv, ov it]
- /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði feɪs ʌv, ɒv ɪt/
- /ɒn ðə feɪs əv ɪt/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [on, awn stressed th ee feys uhv, ov it]
- /ɒn, ɔn stressed ði feɪs ʌv, ɒv ɪt/

Definitions of on the face of it words

noun on the face of it the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin. 1
noun on the face of it a look or expression on this part: a sad face. 1
noun on the face of it an expression or look that indicates ridicule, disgust, etc.; grimace: The child put on a face when told to go to bed. 1
noun on the face of it cosmetics; makeup: Excuse me while I go to the powder room to put on my face. 1
noun on the face of it impudence; boldness: to have the face to ask such a rude question. 1
noun on the face of it outward appearance: These are just old problems with new faces. The future presented a fair face to the fortunate youth. 1

See all 58 definitions of on the face of it

Information block about the term

Origin of on the face of it

First appearance:

before 1250

One of the 11% oldest English words

1250-1300; (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French < Vulgar Latin *facia, for Latin faciēs facies; (v.) late Middle English facen, derivative of the noun

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for On the face of it

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of On the face of it

on the face of it popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

on the face of it usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for on the face of it

adv on the face of it

apparently — You use apparently to indicate that the information you are giving is something that you have heard, but you are not certain that it is true.
assumably — in a presumable manner
at first blush — when first seen; as a first impression
for all intents and purposes — something that is intended; purpose; design; intention: The original intent of the committee was to raise funds.
hypothetically — assumed by hypothesis; supposed: a hypothetical case.

adverb on the face of it

credible — Credible means able to be trusted or believed.
externally — On the surface or the outside.
ostensively — (manner) In an ostensive manner.
outwardly — as regards appearance or outward manifestation: outwardly charming; outwardly considerate.

All 11 Synonyms of on the face of it

Matching words

Was this page helpful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page

Tell us why?