Etymology Map
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Face

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the front part of the head

Where does the word "face" come from? It comes from Latin facies, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
facies
Latin · ancient
"form, appearance"
from 'facere', to make: the made shape
2
Stage 2 of 3
face
Old French · medieval
"face"
replaced Old English 'andwlita' and 'ansyn'
3
Stage 3 of 3
face
English · 1200s
"front of the head"
'face the music' dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Face’s story begins in Latin: facies meant “form, appearance.” From 'facere', to make: the made shape. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as face. Replaced Old English 'andwlita' and 'ansyn'. It reached English by 1200s as face. 'face the music' dates from the 1800s. Today, face means the front part of the head.