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face value
noun
1
: the value indicated on the face (as of a postage stamp or a stock certificate)
2
: the apparent value or significance
if their remarks may be taken at face value
Examples of face value in a Sentence
We paid $100 for tickets that had a face value of $50.
Recent Examples on the Web
The face value is also referred to as the par value or the principal.
—Chris Taylor, wsj.com, 7 Nov. 2023
For example, Super Bowl tickets had a face value of $7,500 with Vet Tix charging $14 for delivery.
—Bruce Rogers, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
While advertising revenue was sluggish in 2023, iHeartMedia improved its balance sheet by reducing the face value of its debt from $1.5 billion to about $900 million, saving it about $43 million in annual interest payments.
—Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2024
The government values vouchers at 80% of their face value, so Southwest received credit for $72 million for the future vouchers, not the full $90 million to be distributed $30 million a year between April 2024 and April 2027.
—CBS News, 18 Dec. 2023
The bonds, introduced in the 1920s, were issued at an amount less than face value and would either mature on a specific date or at the bondholder's death.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
That’s the sweet spot for settlement: The new buyer will usually accept far less than the debt’s face value.
—Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024
Before On Location became a factor, ticket brokers sometimes sold Super Bowl seats for just a few hundred dollars over face value, and some were arranging flights and hotels for fans to attend.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2024
The 49ers invited all staff to accompany them, with a pair of complimentary tickets for each and a chance to buy others at the $2,400 face value; no paper tickets, this year, by the way.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'face value.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near face value
Cite this Entry
“Face value.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face%20value. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
Kids Definition
face value
noun1
: the value indicated on the face of something (as a coin, bill, bond, or insurance policy)
2
: the apparent worth or significance
can't take what he says at face value
Legal Definition
face value
noun
: the value indicated on the face of something (as a stock certificate)
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