facet

1 of 2

noun

fac·​et ˈfa-sət 

1

: a particular part or aspect (as of something being contemplated or considered)

Each facet of the problem requires careful analysis.

2

: a small plane surface (as on a cut gem) see brilliant illustration

3

: the external corneal surface of an ommatidium

Houseflies have about 350 facets per eye, while dragonflies have a whopping 30,000.

—Brad Wetzler

4

: a smooth flat circumscribed anatomical surface (as of a bone)

the articular facet of a rib

faceted adjective

or facetted

ˈfa-sə-təd 

faceted

2 of 2

adjective

fac·​et·​ed

variants or less commonly facetted

ˈfasə̇tə̇d 

ˈfaas-, 

-sə̇tə̇d

: having or made with facets

Synonyms of facet

Noun

• aspect
• side
• hand

Examples of facet in a Sentence

Noun

Each facet of the problem requires careful attention.

the different facets of our culture

Which facet of his character is most appealing?

the facets of a diamond

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Stanford professor David Larcker, an author of the report, attributes the pullback to the public growing tired of politics seeping into every facet of American life. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

The most gratifying facet of being an agent was guiding gifted artists through the maze of potential opportunities and pitfalls that constitute careers in Hollywood. — Rick Nicita, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

The collaboration launches with the work of LeRoy Neiman, who is known for his expressionist depictions of sports, leisure, and other facets of Americana. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

The memory wall and data movement speeds place constraints on every facet of a system. — Nandan Nayampally, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French facette "individual surface (of an object with many surfaces, as a gem)," going back to Middle French fasette, from face face entry 1 + -ette -ette

First Known Use

Noun

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing facet

• star facet

Rhymes for facet

• basset
• tacit

Kids Definition

facet

noun

fac·​et ˈfas-ət 

1

: a small plane surface (as on a cut gem)

2

: a definable aspect of something

explained all facets of the company

3

: the surface of a functional unit of vision of a compound eye

faceted

ˈfas-ət-əd

adjective

Medical Definition

facet

noun

fac·​et ˈfas-ət 

ˌfa-ˈset

: a smooth flat or nearly flat circumscribed anatomical surface

the articular facet of a bone

faceted adjective

or facetted

ˈfas-ət-əd