facade
/fəˈsɑːd/
NOUN
1. The front face of a building
The exterior face or front elevation of a building, especially the side that faces a street or public space.
1.1. Architectural front of a building
The visible front exterior of a building, often considered in terms of its architectural design, appearance, and decorative features.
Synonyms
- building front
- front
- frontage
- exterior
- forepart
Antonyms
Examples
- The old building retained its original charm, with a weathered facade that told stories of the past.
- The corporate office had a sleek and modern facade, projecting an image of innovation and success.
Related Words
- elevation
- frontispiece
- architecture
- exterior wall
- structure
NOUN
2. The visible front or outward surface of something
The most visible or prominent side, surface, or exterior aspect of an object or structure.
2.1. Visible exterior or front surface
The outward-facing or most noticeable part of something, particularly when distinguished from its interior or less visible parts.
Synonyms
- front
- exterior
- surface
- outside
- face
- outer side
Antonyms
Examples
- The facade of the building concealed a complex network of equipment and structural components.
Related Words
- outer layer
- forepart
- frontage
- appearance
- shell
NOUN
3. A deceptive or insincere outward appearance
An outward appearance, behavior, or presentation that conceals a person's true feelings, intentions, character, or the actual nature of a situation.
3.1. False appearance concealing the truth
An outward display or impression deliberately maintained to hide an underlying reality or make something appear different from what it really is.
Synonyms
- false front
- veneer
- guise
- mask
- disguise
- semblance
- pretense
- pretence
- charade
- show
- act
- affectation
- pose
Antonyms
- reality
- truth
- genuineness
- sincerity
- candor
- candidness
- frankness
- honesty
- authenticity
Examples
- Behind the cheerful facade of the clown was a person with a profound sense of melancholy.
- The politician's friendly facade concealed a shrewd and calculating mind.
Related Words
- deception
- dissimulation
- duplicity
- camouflage
- concealment
- window dressing
- persona
3.2. Pretending to have qualities or feelings
A deliberately presented manner, attitude, or personality that creates a misleading impression about someone's genuine character, emotions, or intentions.
Synonyms
- affectation
- act
- pose
- pretense
- pretence
- persona
- masquerade
- performance
- put-on
Antonyms
- sincerity
- genuineness
- candor
- frankness
- forthrightness
- straightforwardness
Examples
- He maintained a facade of confidence even when he was uncertain about the outcome.
Related Words
- playacting
- dissembling
- dissimulation
- impersonation
- deceit
- duplicity
NOUN
4. A simplified interface to a larger software system
An object or interface that provides a simplified and unified way to access a more complex system, subsystem, or body of code.
4.1. Software design and programming
A design pattern in which a facade object provides a convenient, simplified interface to a collection of more complex classes, components, or subsystems.
Synonyms
- interface
- wrapper
Examples
- The developers implemented a facade to simplify interactions with several complex subsystems.
Related Words
- facade pattern
- abstraction
- subsystem
- encapsulation
- software architecture
- API