white-faced

white-faced — adjective

1. describes an animal, bird, or insect whose face area has white fur, feathers, or

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describes an animal, bird, or insect whose face area has white fur, feathers, or a white marking, especially when the rest of its body is a different colour.

例句

A white-faced capuchin monkey sat on a low branch and watched the hikers pass by.

attributive: white-faced + animal species

The white-faced ibis waded through the shallow marsh looking for small fish and insects.

同義詞
  • white-cheeked

    more specific — describes white only on the cheeks rather than the whole face

  • pale-faced

    used for some animal breeds, but can also describe humans (overlaps with sense 2)

反義詞
  • black-faced

    common in animal names for species with dark facial markings

  • dark-faced

    general opposite for any animal with a darker face

文法句型

white-faced + [animal species noun]

be + white-faced

用法筆記

Most often appears as part of a species name (white-faced capuchin, white-faced ibis). In those cases it is a fixed compound and simply labels the species rather than describing an individual animal's appearance.

常見錯誤

❌I saw a white-faced man at the zoo.
✅I saw a white-faced capuchin monkey at the zoo.
💡For humans with a pale face, use sense 2 (PALE WITH FEAR). This sense is for animals and birds only.

2. describes a person whose face has become suddenly pale, typically because they h

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person whose face has become suddenly pale, typically because they have just experienced fear, shock, illness, or extreme tiredness.

例句

Hassan looked white-faced after he heard the earthquake warning siren go off.

predicative: look + white-faced + cause

The nurse found the young patient white-faced and shaking, so she checked his temperature at once.

predicative: found + [person] + white-faced

同義詞
  • pale

    more common and general; can describe both natural complexion and temporary paleness

  • ashen

    stronger — suggests a grey-white colour, often from severe shock or grief

  • wan

    more literary — suggests a tired, sickly paleness rather than a sudden shock reaction

  • pallid

    formal — implies unnaturally pale, often due to poor health

反義詞
  • flushed

    opposite — red in the face from emotion, heat, or exercise

  • rosy

    describes a healthy, pink complexion

  • ruddy

    describes a naturally red-toned complexion, often from outdoor life

文法句型

look + white-faced

go + white-faced

turn + white-faced

white-faced + noun (person/people)

用法筆記

Describes a temporary change in colour caused by a specific event, not a person's natural complexion. Do not confuse with 'fair-skinned', which means permanently light skin. The cause is usually mentioned nearby.

常見錯誤

❌My grandmother has a white face because she is old.
✅My grandmother has a pale complexion.
💡'white-faced' implies a sudden, temporary paleness from shock or fear, not natural fair skin.
❌The white-faced boy was born with light skin.
✅The fair-skinned boy was born with light skin.
💡Use 'fair-skinned' or 'light-skinned' for natural complexion.