Facially

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner relating to the front part of the head, especially the face; by means of appearance or facial expression; concerning the surface or outward aspect of something
2. With respect to the features or surface of the face; through outward looks or expressions; involving the external or superficial characteristics
3. Pertaining to the visible front aspect of a person or thing; through the use of facial cues or manifestations; addressing the outer appearance or immediate presentation

Etymology: "Facially" is a plain formation: the adjective "facial", meaning "of or relating to the face", plus the adverbial suffix "-ly". The adjective goes back to Medieval Latin "faciālis", built on the Latin "facies", "face" or "appearance", which itself comes from the verb "facere", "to make or do". So the face was, in a sense, the thing that is made or shaped, a notion that sits behind many Latin words for looks and appearance. The "-ly" ending has a longer pedigree in English than the Latin part. It descends from the Old English "-līċe", which in turn grew out of the Germanic word for "body" or "form", so "-ly" originally meant "in the manner of" or "having the form of". Attaching it to "facial" produces an adverb meaning "in a way that concerns the face", which is why the word appears most often in phrases like "facially disfigured" or "facially expressive".

Synonyms: externally, superficially, visually, outwardly, ostensibly

Antonyms: internally, inwardly, substantially, essentially, actually