deface

/dɪˈfeɪs/

//dɪˈfeɪs// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"deface" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“deface” is an uncommon English word, ranked #65,043 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#65,043
frequency rank, English
6
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To damage or vandalize something, especially a surface, in a visible or conspicuous manner.

Key facts for deface
PropertyValue
Headworddeface
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/dɪˈfeɪs/
Letters6
Frequency rank#65,043
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “deface” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). deface lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for deface is 6 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /dɪˈfeɪs/. Corpus data places it at rank #65,043 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 3 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for deface, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, suggesting its spelling stands apart enough that readers rarely confuse it with something else.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English defacen, from Old French defacier, desfacier (“to mutilate, destroy, disfigure”), from des- (“away from”) (see dis-) + Late Latin facia. The correct English form is deface, spelled D-E-F-A-C-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To damage or vandalize something, especially a surface, in a visible or conspicuous manner.
  2. 2
    To void or devalue; to nullify or degrade the face value of.
  3. 3
    To alter a coat of arms or a flag by adding an element to it.

Etymology

From Middle English defacen, from Old French defacier, desfacier (“to mutilate, destroy, disfigure”), from des- (“away from”) (see dis-) + Late Latin facia.

Synonyms

disfiguremarobliteratescarvandalizecanceldevaluenullifyvoidbefoulbesmirchblemishblightcontaminatecontortdamagedefacedefamedefiledeformdemolishdestroydestructdevastatedilapidatedisgracedistortharmimpairinjuremaimmanglemutilatepolluteruinscathscathescratchshendsoilspoilstainsullytainttarnishtrashuglifyundermineworsenwreck

Antonyms

beautifyfixrectify

This word in other languages

pintarrajear(Español)défigurer(Français)verunstalten(Deutsch)desfigurar(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "deface"?
"deface" is spelled D-E-F-A-C-E. The IPA pronunciation is /dɪˈfeɪs/.
What does "deface" mean?
As a verb, "deface" means: To damage or vandalize something, especially a surface, in a visible or conspicuous manner.
How do you pronounce "deface"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "deface" is /dɪˈfeɪs/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "deface"?
From Middle English defacen, from Old French defacier, desfacier (“to mutilate, destroy, disfigure”), from des- (“away from”) (see dis-) + Late Latin facia. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “deface”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is D-E-F-A-C-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /dɪˈfeɪs/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list