Phrase guide

face value

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The amount or value listed on a bill, card, note, stamp, etc.; the stated value or amount.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

No more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • Please take this comment at face value and don't try to read anything into it.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

the apparent worth as opposed to the real worth

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: semblance, gloss, color, colour

4

noun

Meaning 4

the value of a security that is set by the company issuing it; unrelated to market value

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: par value, nominal value

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: value

History

Etymology

The term exists because a contrast between nominal value and market value is sometimes materially relevant for currencies.

Across languages

Translations

47 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: valor facial — the stated value or amount
  • Catalan: valor nominal — the stated value or amount
  • Chinese Mandarin: 面值 (miànzhí) — the stated value or amount
  • Chinese Mandarin: 票面金額 /票面金额 (piàomiàn jīn'é) — the stated value or amount
  • Czech: nominální hodnota — the stated value or amount
  • Danish: pålydende — the stated value or amount
  • Danish: pålydende værdi — the stated value or amount
  • Dutch: nominale waarde — the stated value or amount
  • Dutch: naamwaarde — the stated value or amount
  • Estonian: nimiväärtus — the stated value or amount
  • Finnish: nimellisarvo — the stated value or amount
  • French: valeur faciale — the stated value or amount
  • French: valeur nominale — the stated value or amount
  • German: Nennwert — the stated value or amount
  • Greek: ονομαστική αξία (onomastikí axía) — the stated value or amount
  • Hungarian: névérték — the stated value or amount
  • Irish: luach ainmniúil — the stated value or amount
  • Italian: valore nominale — the stated value or amount
  • Italian: valore facciale — the stated value or amount
  • Japanese: 額面 (gakumen) — the stated value or amount
  • Kyrgyz: номиналдык нарк (nominaldık nark) — the stated value or amount
  • Latvian: nomināls — the stated value or amount
  • Latvian: nominālvērtība — the stated value or amount
  • Norwegian Bokmål: pålydende verdi — the stated value or amount
  • Norwegian Bokmål: valør — the stated value or amount
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: pålydande verdi — the stated value or amount
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: valør — the stated value or amount
  • Polish: wartość nominalna — the stated value or amount
  • Polish: nominał — the stated value or amount
  • Portuguese: valor nominal — the stated value or amount
  • Russian: номина́льная сто́имость (nominálʹnaja stóimostʹ) — the stated value or amount
  • Serbo-Croatian: номинална вредност — the stated value or amount
  • Serbo-Croatian: номинална вриједност — the stated value or amount
  • Serbo-Croatian: nominalna vrednost — the stated value or amount
  • Serbo-Croatian: nominalna vrijednost — the stated value or amount
  • Spanish: valor facial — the stated value or amount
  • Spanish: valor nominal — the stated value or amount
  • Swedish: nominalvärde — the stated value or amount
  • Swedish: valör — the stated value or amount
  • Welsh: wynebwerth — the stated value or amount
  • Welsh: gwerth enwol — the stated value or amount
  • Polish: prawda — no more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation
  • Spanish: [a] primera vista — no more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation
  • Spanish: [a] simple vista — no more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation
  • Spanish: [a] media vista — no more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation
  • Spanish: sin más — no more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation
  • Spanish: [tomado al] pie de la letra — no more or less than what is stated; a literal or direct meaning or interpretation