verb
deface
Deface (verb) means to spoil the look of something, often a surface, through visible damage.
verb
1
To spoil the look of something, often a surface, through visible damage.
"After the painting was defaced a decade ago, it went viral and has been a tourist attraction ever since."
2
To cancel something or reduce its official value.
"He defaced the I.O.U. notes by scrawling "void" over them."
3
To change the design of a coat of arms or flag by adding a mark to it.
"You get the Finnish state flag by defacing the national flag with the state coat of arms placed in the middle of the cross."
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Etymology
Deface came into English from Middle English defacen, which itself derived from Old French defacier, desfacier, meaning “to mutilate, destroy, disfigure”. This Old French word was built from des- (“away from”; see dis-) and Late Latin facia.
Related words
Rhymes for deface
See all rhymes for deface →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of deface?
"deface" (verb) means to spoil the look of something, often a surface, through visible damage.
What is another word for deface?
Other words for "deface" include disfigure, blemish.
What is the opposite of deface?
Opposites of "deface" include adorn, embellish, decorate, beautify.
What are the different meanings of deface?
"deface" has 3 main meanings: 1. To spoil the look of something, often a surface, through visible damage; 2. To cancel something or reduce its official value; 3. To change the design of a coat of arms or flag by adding a mark to it.
