Face vs. Phase — What's the Difference?

Surface of an object.

Aspect of a cycle or phenomenon.

Facade or appearance.

Stage in a process or cycle.

Front part of the head.

State of matter or condition.

Direction something is facing.

Temporary period of time.

Confronting or dealing with something.

Period of development.

The face is the front of an animal's head that features three of the head's sense organs, the eyes, nose, and mouth, and through which animals express many of their emotions. The face is crucial for human identity, and damage such as scarring or developmental deformities affects the psyche adversely.

A distinct period or stage in a series of events or a process of change or development

The front part of a person's head from the forehead to the chin, or the corresponding part in an animal

Each of the aspects of the moon or a planet, according to the amount of its illumination, especially the new moon, the first quarter, the full moon, and the last quarter.

The surface of a thing, especially one that is presented to the view or has a particular function.

A genetic or seasonal variety of an animal's coloration

A person of a particular type

A distinct and homogeneous form of matter (i.e. a particular solid, liquid, or gas) separated by its surface from other forms

Short for typeface

The relationship in time between the successive states or cycles of an oscillating or repeating system (such as an alternating electric current or a light or sound wave) and either a fixed reference point or the states or cycles of another system with which it may or may not be in synchrony

Be positioned with the face or front towards (someone or something)

(in systemic grammar) the relationship between a catenative verb and the verb that follows it, as in she hoped to succeed and I like swimming.

Confront and deal with or accept

Carry out (something) in gradual stages

Cover the surface of (something) with a layer of a different material

Adjust the phase of (something), especially so as to synchronize it with something else

The surface of the front of the head from the top of the forehead to the base of the chin and from ear to ear.

A distinct stage of development

A person

A temporary manner, attitude, or pattern of behavior

A person's countenance

An aspect; a part

A contorted facial expression; a grimace

One of the cyclically recurring apparent shapes of the visibly illuminated portion of the moon or a planet.

A countenance of a certain complexion or form. Used in combination

The relative configuration, measured in angular units such as degrees or radians, of two orbiting bodies that periodically eclipse.

A person having such a countenance. Used in combination

A particular stage in a periodic process or phenomenon.

Facial makeup

The fraction of a complete cycle elapsed as measured from a specified reference point and often expressed as an angle.

Facial makeup of a certain color, usually worn for the purpose of impersonating or mocking people of a particular racial or ethnic group. Used in combination

Any of the forms or states, solid, liquid, gas, or plasma, in which matter can exist, depending on temperature and pressure.

Assumed characteristics, such as clothing or behavior, intended to impersonate or mock people of a particular racial or ethnic group. Used in combination

A discrete homogeneous part of a material system that is mechanically separable from the rest, as is ice from water.

Outward appearance

(Biology) A characteristic form, appearance, or stage of development that occurs in a cycle or that distinguishes some individuals of a group

Value or standing in the eyes of others; prestige

To plan or carry out systematically by phases.

Self-assurance; confidence

To set or regulate so as to be synchronized.

Effrontery; impudence

To become incorporeal so as to be able to move through a solid object

The surface presented to view; the front.

A distinguishable part of a sequence or cycle occurring over time.

A façade.

That which is exhibited to the eye; the appearance which anything manifests, especially any one among different and varying appearances of the same object.

Outer surface

Any appearance or aspect of an object of mental apprehension or view.

A marked side

(astronomy) A particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes with respect to quantity of illumination or form, or the absence, of its enlightened disk. Illustrated in Wikipedia's article Lunar phase.

The right side, as of fabric.

(physics) Any one point or portion in a recurring series of changes, as in the changes of motion of one of the particles constituting a wave or vibration; one portion of a series of such changes, in distinction from a contrasted portion, as the portion on one side of a position of equilibrium, in contrast with that on the opposite side.

An exposed, often precipitous surface of rock.

(chemistry) A component in a material system that is distinguished by chemical composition and/or physical state (solid, liquid or gas) and/or crystal structure. It is delineated from an adjoining phase by an abrupt change in one or more of those conditions.

A planar surface of a geometric solid.

(rugby union) The period of play between consecutive breakdowns.

Any of the surfaces of a rock or crystal.

(genetics) A haplotype.

The end, as of a mine or tunnel, at which work is advancing.

(math) The arctangent of the quotient formed by dividing the imaginary part of a complex number by the real part.

The appearance and geologic surface features of an area of land; topography.

(music) A distortion caused by a difference in the speed of propagation for different frequencies

A typeface or range of typefaces.

(electrical engineering) In a polyphase electrical power system, one of the power-carrying conductors, or the alternating current carried by it.

The raised printing surface of a piece of type.

To begin—if construed with "in"—or to discontinue—if construed with out—(doing) something over a period of time (i.e. in phases).

To occupy a position with the face toward

Antique form of faze.

To front on

To determine haplotypes in (data) when genotypes are known.

To meet or confront with self-assurance

To pass into or through a solid object.

To acknowledge and accept or deal with

(science fiction) To use a phaser.

To bring or to be brought face to face with

(obsolete) Passover

To cause (troops) to change direction by giving a command.

That which is exhibited to the eye; the appearance which anything manifests, especially any one among different and varying appearances of the same object.

(Games) To turn (a playing card) so that the face is up.

Any appearance or aspect of an object of mental apprehension or view; as, the problem has many phases.

To furnish with a surface or cover of a different material

A particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes with respect to quantity of illumination or form of enlightened disk; as, the phases of the moon or planets. See Illust. under Moon.

To line or trim the edge of, especially with contrasting material

Any one point or portion in a recurring series of changes, as in the changes of motion of one of the particles constituting a wave or vibration; one portion of a series of such changes, in distinction from a contrasted portion, as the portion on one side of a position of equilibrium, in contrast with that on the opposite side.

To treat the surface of so as to smooth.

A homogenous, physically distinct portion of matter in a system not homogeneous; as, the three phases, ice, water, and aqueous vapor. A phase may be either a single chemical substance or a mixture, as of gases.

To be turned or placed with the front toward a specified direction.

The relation at any instant of a periodically varying electric magnitude, as electro-motive force, a current, etc., to its initial value as expressed in factorial parts of the complete cycle. It is usually expressed in angular measure, the cycle beb four right angles, or 360°. Such periodic variations are generally well represented by sine curves; and phase relations are shown by the relative positions of the crests and hollows of such curves. Magnitudes which have the same phase are said to be in phase.

To turn the face in a specified direction.

The relation at any instant of any cyclically varying physical quantity, such as voltage in an A.C. circuit, an electromagnetic wave, a sound wave, or a rotating object, to its initial value as expressed as a fractional part of the complete cycle. It is usually expressed in angular measure, the complete cycle being 360°.

(anatomy) The front part of the head of a human or other animal, featuring the eyes, nose, and mouth, and the surrounding area.

To disturb the composure of; to disconcert; to nonplus; - an older spelling, now replaced by faze.

One's facial expression.

(physical chemistry) a distinct state of matter in a system; matter that is identical in chemical composition and physical state and separated from other material by the phase boundary;

(in expressions such as 'make a face') A distorted facial expression; an expression of displeasure, insult, etc.

Any distinct time period in a sequence of events;

Image; outward appearance.

A particular point in the time of a cycle; measured from some arbitrary zero and expressed as an angle

The frontal aspect of something.

(astronomy) the particular appearance of a body's state of illumination (especially one of the recurring shapes of the part of Earth's moon that is illuminated by the sun);

An aspect of the character or nature of someone or something.

Arrange in phases or stages;

(figurative) presence; sight; front.

Adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition;

The directed force of something.

Reputation; standing, in the eyes of others; dignity; prestige. (See lose face, save face).

Confidence; boldness; effrontery.

Any surface, especially a front or outer one.

(geometry) Any of the flat bounding surfaces of a polyhedron; more generally, any of the bounding pieces of a polytope of any dimension.

The numbered dial of a clock or watch; the clock face.

(slang) The mouth.

(slang) makeup; one's complete facial cosmetic application.

(metonymically) A person; the self; oneself.

(informal) A familiar or well-known person; a member of a particular scene, such as the music or fashion scene.

A headlining wrestler with a persona embodying heroic or virtuous traits and who is regarded as a "good guy", especially one who is handsome and well-conditioned; a baby face.

(cricket) The front surface of a bat.

(golf) The part of a golf club that hits the ball.

(cards) The side of the card that shows its value (as opposed to the back side, which looks the same on all cards of the deck).

(heraldry) The head of a lion, shown face-on and cut off immediately behind the ears.

The width of a pulley, or the length of a cog from end to end.

(typography) A typeface.

A mode of regard, whether favourable or unfavourable; favour or anger.

(informal) The amount expressed on a bill, note, bond, etc., without any interest or discount; face value.

To position oneself or itself so as to have one's face closest to (something).

To have its front closest to, or in the direction of (something else).

(transitive) To cause (something) to turn or present a face or front, as in a particular direction.

(transitive) To be presented or confronted with; to have in prospect.

(transitive) To deal with (a difficult situation or person); to accept (facts, reality, etc.) even when undesirable.

(intransitive) To have the front in a certain direction.

(transitive) To have as an opponent.

To be the batsman on strike.

To confront impudently; to bully.

(transitive) To cover in front, for ornament, protection, etc.; to put a facing upon.

(transitive) To line near the edge, especially with a different material.

To cover with better, or better appearing, material than the mass consists of, for purpose of deception, as the surface of a box of tea, a barrel of sugar, etc.

(engineering) To make the surface of (anything) flat or smooth; to dress the face of (a stone, a casting, etc.); especially, in turning, to shape or smooth the flat (transverse) surface of, as distinguished from the cylindrical (axial) surface.

To arrange the products in (a store) so that they are tidy and attractive.

The exterior form or appearance of anything; that part which presents itself to the view; especially, the front or upper part or surface; that which particularly offers itself to the view of a spectator.

That part of a body, having several sides, which may be seen from one point, or which is presented toward a certain direction; one of the bounding planes of a solid; as, a cube has six faces.

The principal dressed surface of a plate, disk, or pulley; the principal flat surface of a part or object.

The upper surface, or the character upon the surface, of a type, plate, etc.

Outside appearance; surface show; look; external aspect, whether natural, assumed, or acquired.

That part of the head, esp. of man, in which the eyes, cheeks, nose, and mouth are situated; visage; countenance.

Cast of features; expression of countenance; look; air; appearance.

Ten degrees in extent of a sign of the zodiac.

Maintenance of the countenance free from abashment or confusion; confidence; boldness; shamelessness; effrontery.

Presence; sight; front; as in the phrases, before the face of, in the immediate presence of; in the face of, before, in, or against the front of; as, to fly in the face of danger; to the face of, directly to; from the face of, from the presence of.

Mode of regard, whether favorable or unfavorable; favor or anger; mostly in Scriptural phrases.

The end or wall of the tunnel, drift, or excavation, at which work is progressing or was last done.

The exact amount expressed on a bill, note, bond, or other mercantile paper, without any addition for interest or reduction for discount; most commonly called face value.

To meet in front; to oppose with firmness; to resist, or to meet for the purpose of stopping or opposing; to confront; to encounter; as, to face an enemy in the field of battle.

To Confront impudently; to bully.

To stand opposite to; to stand with the face or front toward; to front upon; as, the apartments of the general faced the park; some of the seats on the train faced backward.

To cover in front, for ornament, protection, etc.; to put a facing upon; as, a building faced with marble.

To line near the edge, esp. with a different material; as, to face the front of a coat, or the bottom of a dress.

To cover with better, or better appearing, material than the mass consists of, for purpose of deception, as the surface of a box of tea, a barrel of sugar, etc.

To make the surface of (anything) flat or smooth; to dress the face of (a stone, a casting, etc.); esp., in turning, to shape or smooth the flat surface of, as distinguished from the cylindrical surface.

To cause to turn or present a face or front, as in a particular direction.

To carry a false appearance; to play the hypocrite.

To turn the face; as, to face to the right or left.

To present a face or front.

The front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear;

The expression on a person's face;

The general outward appearance of something;

The act of confronting bravely;

The striking or working surface of an implement

A part of a person that is used to refer to a person;

A surface forming part of the outside of an object;

The part of an animal corresponding to the human face

The side upon which the use of a thing depends (usually the most prominent surface of an object);

A contorted facial expression;

A specific size and style of type within a type family

Status in the eyes of others;

Impudent aggressiveness;

A vertical surface of a building or cliff

Deal with (something unpleasant) head on;

Oppose, as in hostility or a competition;

Be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to;

Be opposite;

Turn so as to face; turn the face in a certain direction;

Present somebody with something, usually to accuse or criticize;

Turn so as to expose the face;

Line the edge (of a garment) with a different material;

Cover the front or surface of;

Face typically refers to the front part of a person's head or any forward-facing surface of an object.

Yes, face can imply confrontation or appearance, and phase can indicate a temporary period or stage of change.

Face relates to physical appearances and orientations, while phase denotes stages or periods within processes or cycles.

No, they serve distinct purposes: face concerns orientation and appearance, and phase concerns stages in cycles or processes.

Facing a problem means confronting or dealing with it directly.

It indicates that the subject is in a specific stage of its development or cycle.

Yes, in terms of physical orientation, objects like mountains, buildings, and devices can have a "face."

It suggests presenting a confident or unaffected appearance despite difficulties.

Phases in project management denote specific stages in the lifecycle of a project, each with distinct tasks and objectives.

A phase is a distinct stage or period in the development or cycle of a process.

Yes, phases can describe periods in human growth, learning, and psychological development.

Yes, human faces can display a wide range of emotions.

They are an example of phase, representing stages in the moon's appearance over a cycle.

In science, face refers to specific physical orientations or aspects, while phase refers to states within cycles or physical conditions.

Often, but not always, phases can be stages in linear processes as well as cyclical ones.