facelift
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈeɪslɪft/
US
- /ˈfeɪˌslɪft/
Description
- fresh new look
- appearance update
- cosmetic surgery
- visual improvement
A "facelift" is not just for faces. It can mean cosmetic surgery that makes someone look younger, but it is also often used in a wider way. When something old, tired, or outdated gets a fresh new look, people may call that a facelift. Think of an old house that gets new paint, a cleaner yard, and a few modern changes. A company can also give its brand a facelift with a new logo or a more modern style.
The word comes from the idea of lifting and tightening facial skin. Over time, it started to describe many kinds of appearance updates, even for things like stores, cars, or websites. The main idea is simple: something looks newer, fresher, and more attractive than before.
The term "facelift" literally refers to a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin on the face, giving it a more youthful appearance. It involves lifting and tightening underlying tissues and muscles to restore a smoother, firmer contour.
However, "facelift" has expanded far beyond its medical origins to describe any clear improvement that makes something look better. This could be a building getting a fresh coat of paint and new windows, or a website getting a cleaner layout and more modern features.
Businesses often use "facelift" when rebranding, updating their logo, marketing materials, or overall image to appeal to more people. A politician might try to give their public image a "facelift" by changing their message or style. Even a room makeover can be described as giving it a facelift.
The key idea behind the term is transformation: taking something that looks worn, outdated, or tired and improving it so it seems newer and more appealing. It usually suggests a noticeable change rather than a tiny touch-up.
So, whether you're talking about surgery, buildings, brands, or even your living room—a facelift is all about restoring youthfulness and vibrancy through significant improvement.
Examples
- 1
Cosmetic result
After the facelift, she looked fresher, but most people couldn't say exactly what had changed.
- 2
Celebrity rumors
The actor laughed off rumors that he had a facelift before the awards season.
- 3
Public building
The old train station is getting a facelift before tourists arrive this summer.
Phrase
get a facelift
be improved to look newer or more attractive
- 4
Packaging design
Instead of changing the whole brand, the company gave its packaging a small facelift.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- faceliftnoun
Forms
- faceliftspluralnoun