WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
about′ face′,
a•bout-face (n. ə bout′fās′, ə bout′fās′;v. ə bout′fās′),USA pronunciation n., v., -faced, -fac•ing.
n.
v.i.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025- Military(used as a military command to perform an about-face).
- 1860–65, American.
a•bout-face (n. ə bout′fās′, ə bout′fās′;v. ə bout′fās′),USA pronunciation n., v., -faced, -fac•ing.
n.
- Militarya turn of 180° from the position of attention.
- a complete, sudden change in position, direction, principle, attitude, etc.:They've done an about-face in their foreign policy.
v.i.
- to execute an about face.
- to turn in the opposite direction.
- to switch to an opposite opinion.
- 1860–65, American.
a•bout-face /n. əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs, əˈbaʊtˈfeɪs; v. əˌbaʊtˈfeɪs/USA pronunciation
n., v., -faced, -fac•ing.
n. [countable]
v. [no object]
n. [countable]
- Military(in military or similar marching) a 180° turn from the position of attention.
- a complete change in position, direction, principle, or thinking.
v. [no object]
- to perform an about-face.
'about face' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):