# about-face

> English word · Noun · IPA /əˈbaʊtˌfeɪs/

## Definitions
1. An abrupt turn to face the opposite direction.
2. A reversal in direction; a reversal of attitude or opinion.

## Etymology
From about + face, first attested in 1861, used in the imperative in the military.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/about-face