facade
facade — noun
1. The outermost front section of a structure, particularly one given an ornamental
The outermost front section of a structure, particularly one given an ornamental or stately treatment.
The hotel's marble facade was decorated with tall columns and carved flowers.
collocation: marble facade / stone facade
Workers spent two years restoring the stone facade of the old theater.
collocation: restore the facade
The museum's glass facade reflects the park across the street.
Only the front facade is visible from the street; the rest stretches far back.
文法句型
facade + of + building/place
the + facade + of + [building]
用法筆記
Refers specifically to the principal front face of a building, not the sides or rear. Most commonly used when the front is architecturally notable or deliberately designed to impress.
常見錯誤
2. A way of behaving or presenting yourself that hides your true feelings, problems
A way of behaving or presenting yourself that hides your true feelings, problems, or the real nature of a situation.
Behind her cheerful facade, Lara was struggling with serious money problems.
pattern: behind [possessive] facade
The company's eco-friendly image was just a facade to hide its polluting factories.
pattern: a facade to hide [something]
Christopher maintained a calm facade during the meeting, even though he felt panicked inside.
Their marriage had become a facade that they kept up only for their children.
- pretense
Focuses more on the act of pretending than on the outer image; slightly more formal.
- veneer
Suggests a thin, attractive outer layer covering something plain or cheap underneath; often used with positive qualities (a veneer of sophistication).
- mask
Stronger sense of hiding one's true feelings; more personal and emotional.
- front
Can be neutral (a brave front) or deceptive (it's just a front); more informal than facade.
- honesty
Opposite in the sense of revealing rather than hiding true feelings.
文法句型
a facade of + [abstract noun]
behind + possessive + facade
maintain/put up + a facade
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' plus an abstract noun describing the quality being faked (a facade of calm / confidence / respectability). The word carries a mildly negative connotation, suggesting deliberate deception rather than innocent shyness.