Phrase guide

facial expression

noun · 3 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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

configuration of the facial muscles that conveys certain emotions or intentions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Qualifier: A particular

Examples

  • 2017, Jennifer S. Holland, For These Monkeys, It’s a Fight for Survival., National Geographic (March 2017)http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/03/macaques-monkeys-indonesia-endangered-pet-trade/ Facial expressions convey moods: Ritualized yawning—which starts with an oval mouth that breaks into a gaping one as the animal flings its head back—suggests tension.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the feelings expressed on a person's face

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a sad expression
  • a look of triumph
  • an angry face

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: expression, look, aspect, face

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: countenance, visage

Narrower terms: leer, sparkle, twinkle, spark, light

3

noun

Meaning 3

a gesture executed with the facial muscles

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: facial gesture

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: gesture, motion

Narrower terms: emoticon, gape, grimace, face, frown, scowl, smile, smiling, grin, grinning, laugh, snarl, straight face, wink, wince

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

28 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Afrikaans: gesigsuitdrukking — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Armenian: դիմախաղ (dimaxaġ) — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Danish: ansigtsudtryk — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Dutch: gezichtsuitdrukking — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Dutch: gelaatsuitdrukking — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Esperanto: mieno — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Finnish: ilme — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Galician: expresión facial — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • German: Gesichtsausdruck — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • German: Miene — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Hungarian: arckifejezés — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Icelandic: svipur — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Italian: espressione facciale — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Norwegian Bokmål: ansiktsuttrykk — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: andletsuttrykk — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: ansiktsuttrykk — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Polish: mina — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Polish: wyraz twarzy — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Portuguese: expressão facial — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Russian: выраже́ние лица́ (vyražénije licá) — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Russian: ми́мика (mímika) — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Spanish: mueca — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Spanish: mohín — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Swedish: min — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Swedish: ansiktsuttryck — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Turkish: yüz ifadesi — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Ukrainian: ви́раз обли́ччя (výraz oblýččja) — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face
  • Vietnamese: thần thái — expression or countenance that seems to an onlooker to be represented by the appearance of a person's face