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

Oasis has warned fans against buying on resale websites, cracking down on scalpers by only allowing resale at the face value prices. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2024

Within an hour of the pre-sale, tickets appeared on re-selling sites for triple the face value. —Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 1 Sep. 2024

There need to be laws passed prohibiting reselling above face value. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2024

Something Corporate is using a face value fan-to-fan exchange for the upcoming tour in markets where that’s allowed so that tickets can only be sold for what they were originally paid for. —Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

face value

noun

1

: 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)