# facial

/ˈfeɪʃəɫ/ (US) · /fˈeɪʃəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/facial
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. related to the face

adjective · CEFR B1

related to or affecting your face.

For teachers: of or relating to the face; used as a relational adjective.

- He had a very friendly facial expression when he greeted us.
- The patient suffered minor facial injuries during the accident, but the doctors expect a full recovery without scarring.

### 2. beauty treatment

noun · CEFR B1

a beauty treatment where someone cleans and puts creams on your face to make your skin look better.

For teachers: a cosmetic treatment involving the cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturisation of the face.

- She decided to get a facial at the spa to relax before her wedding.
- The spa offers a variety of services, including a deep-cleansing facial designed to rejuvenate tired skin after long-haul travel.

### 3. legal/on the surface

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

describing a law that seems valid just by looking at the words written in it.

For teachers: referring to a law or regulation as it appears on its face, rather than how it is applied in practice.

- The lawyer argued that the new rule was a facial violation of the constitution.
- The court must determine whether the statute constitutes a facial challenge to the First Amendment or if the issue lies in its specific application.

### 4. sports foul

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

an illegal move in sports where a player hits an opponent in the face.

For teachers: an illegal action or foul in contact sports involving a direct blow to an opponent's face.

- The player was sent off the field after giving his opponent a facial.
- The referee immediately blew the whistle, penalising the defender for a blatant facial during the final minutes of the match.

## Examples

- She treats herself to a facial once a month.
- After a long week of work, he booked a deep-cleansing facial to help clear his skin and relax.
- While a basic facial focuses on surface hydration, more advanced clinical versions may incorporate chemical peels or light therapy to address specific dermatological concerns like hyperpigmentation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.