face-off

[ feys-awf, -of ]

/ ˈfeɪsˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

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noun Ice Hockey.

the act of facing the puck, as at the start of a game or period.

an open confrontation.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of face-off

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase face off

Words nearby face-off

faceless, facelift, facemail, face mask, face-nail, face-off, face out, face pack, facepalm, face-plant, faceplate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use face-off in a sentence

Another movie of yours my friends and me were obsessed with growing up was Face/Off.
John Travolta Doesn’t Regret a Thing|Marlow Stern|September 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Japanese government has been locked in a tense face-off with China over the islands for the past two years.
Did Obama Just Draw Another Red Line in the East China Sea?|Michael Auslin|April 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not everyone can watch the epic face-off in person on Sunday.
Best Broncos and Seahawks Bars to Watch Super Bowl XLVIII|Justin Jones|January 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Cochran-McDaniel face-off is the latest major establishment vs. Tea Party showdown in the Deep South.
In Mississippi, Thad Cochran Will Stay and Fight Tea Party Challenger|Ben Jacobs|December 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Graham won his last race by 15 points, but Stamper is not certain to face-off against him.
Prankster or Politician? Jay Stamper Says His S.C. Senate Bid Is Real|David Freedlander|October 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for face-off

face-off

noun

ice hockey the method of starting a game, in which the referee drops the puck, etc between two opposing players

a confrontation

verb face off (adverb)

to start play by (a face-off)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

face-off

Origin of face-off

Words nearby face-off

Words related to face-off

How to use face-off in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for face-off