adj
Common
facing
FAY-sihng
Facing (adj) means Positioned so as to point or look toward something. Example: “We booked a south-facing room for the extra sunlight.”
adj
1
Positioned so as to point or look toward something.
"We booked a south-facing room for the extra sunlight."
"The chairs were arranged facing the stage so everyone could see."
"He sat at a desk facing the window, watching the rain."
noun
1
A layer of material applied to the outside of a garment or structure, often for decoration or reinforcement.
"The jacket has a satin facing at the collar."
"The building has a marble facing over its concrete frame."
"The old brick wall was given a stone facing to improve its look."
How to use facing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPointed toward something (adjective), or a decorative/reinforcing outer layer (noun).
Common pairings
south-facing
street-facing
collar facing
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Word forms
- Plural
- facings
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We booked a south-_____ room for the extra sunlight.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for facing
See all rhymes for facing →Frequently asked questions
What does “facing” mean?
The word “facing” means positioned so as to point or look toward something. In plain terms, pointed toward something (adjective), or a decorative/reinforcing outer layer (noun).
How do you pronounce “facing”?
“Facing” is pronounced FAY-sihng (/ˈfeɪsɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “facing” in a sentence?
Here is “facing” used in a sentence: “We booked a south-facing room for the extra sunlight.”
What is the opposite of “facing”?
The opposite of “facing” — its antonyms — is trailing.
What part of speech is “facing”?
Depending on how it is used, “facing” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “facing” a common word?
“Facing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “facing” have?
“Facing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: positioned so as to point or look toward something.
What is an example of 'facing' used as an adjective?
You might describe 'the facing page' of an open book, 'the seat facing the door,' or 'a house facing the sea.' In each case, 'facing' tells you which way something is turned or oriented, pointing toward the thing named. It describes position and direction rather than an action.
What is the difference between 'facing' and 'opposite'?
The two overlap but differ in emphasis. 'Facing' stresses that something is turned toward another thing, like a chair facing the window. 'Opposite' stresses position across from something, like the house opposite ours. Two facing pages front each other, while opposite sides simply lie on contrary sides, whether or not they point inward.
Can 'facing' describe both people and objects?
Yes. A person can be facing a colleague across a table, and a building can be facing north. The word works for anything with a front or an orientation, living or not. What matters is that the subject is turned toward, points at, or looks in the direction of something else.
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