façade

facade, front (of a building)

noun fah-SAD Rare

Origin: Italian 'facciata' from 'faccia' (face)

Also means

outward appearance, front (figurative)

Usage Note

Façade describes the exterior front wall of a building, but is just as often used figuratively for a false outward appearance (garder une façade = 'to keep up a front'). The cedilla under the 'c' is essential — without it the spelling is wrong. Ravalement de façade (façade cleaning/restoration) is a common urban maintenance term.

Examples

"La façade de l'église est magnifique."

Natural Translation

The church facade is magnificent.

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