ABOUT-FACE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does about-face mean? 

• ABOUT-FACE (noun)
  The noun ABOUT-FACE has 2 senses:

1. act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation

2. a major change in attitude or principle or point of view

  Familiarity information: ABOUT-FACE used as a noun is rare.

• ABOUT-FACE (verb)
  The verb ABOUT-FACE has 2 senses:

1. turn, usually 180 degrees

2. change one's mind and assume the opposite viewpoint

  Familiarity information: ABOUT-FACE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ABOUT-FACE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

about-face; about turn

Hypernyms ("about-face" is a kind of...):

reversal; reverse; reversion; turnabout; turnaround (turning in the opposite direction)

Derivation:

about-face (turn, usually 180 degrees)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A major change in attitude or principle or point of view

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

about-face; policy change; reversal; volte-face

Context example:

an about-face on foreign policy

Hypernyms ("about-face" is a kind of...):

change (the action of changing something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "about-face"):

undoing (an act that makes a previous act of no effect (as if not done))

Derivation:

about-face (change one's mind and assume the opposite viewpoint)

• ABOUT-FACE (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Turn, usually 180 degrees

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "about-face" is one way to...):

turn (change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Derivation:

about-face (act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Change one's mind and assume the opposite viewpoint

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "about-face" is one way to...):

rethink (change one's mind)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

about-face (a major change in attitude or principle or point of view)