Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

on the face of it

Definition

C2 used when you are describing how a situation seems on the surface: On the face of it, it seems like a bargain, but I bet there are hidden costs.Seeming and purporting to beFaking and pretending
(Definition of on the face of it from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“on the face of it” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

come rain or shine

whatever happens

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More