facelift

IPA/ˈfeɪslɪft/
KK[fˈeslˌɪft]IPA/ˈfeɪslɪft/

facelift — noun

  • faceliftsingular
  • faceliftsplural

1. a surgical procedure that pulls back and tightens the skin on someone's face so

1.名詞C1
釋義

a surgical procedure that pulls back and tightens the skin on someone's face so they appear less wrinkled and several years younger.

例句

Renata flew to Seoul for a facelift before her 60th birthday.

have/get a facelift — countable noun for the operation

The actor admitted in an interview that he had had two facelifts.

present-perfect 'had had a facelift' for past procedures

同義詞
  • rhytidectomy

    the formal medical term used by surgeons; rarely heard outside clinical settings

  • cosmetic surgery

    broader category that includes facelifts, nose jobs, and other appearance-changing operations

文法句型

have a facelift

get a facelift

用法筆記

Frequently appears with 'have' or 'get' rather than 'do'. The plural 'facelifts' refers either to repeated procedures on one person or to the service offered by a clinic.

常見錯誤

❌She did a facelift last year.
✅She had a facelift last year.
💡patients 'have' a facelift; the surgeon performs it.
❌a face lift' (two words).
✅a facelift' (one word)
💡modern dictionaries treat it as a single word; 'face-lift' with a hyphen is also accepted.

2. improvements that update the look of a building, vehicle, product, or place with

2.名詞C1
釋義

improvements that update the look of a building, vehicle, product, or place without changing its underlying structure — for example, a fresh paint job and new signs on an old shopping centre.

例句

The old library is finally getting a facelift after thirty years.

get a facelift — passive-like collocation for buildings

Mira gave her bedroom a quick facelift with new curtains and fresh paint.

give [something] a facelift — typical pattern with possessor

同義詞
  • makeover

    very similar; often used for people, fashion, or rooms; slightly more informal

  • revamp

    stronger word that may include structural or functional changes, not just appearance

  • refurbishment

    more formal; often used for shops, hotels, and offices that are temporarily closed for the work

文法句型

give something a facelift

undergo a facelift

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers to surface improvements (paint, signs, fittings, branding) rather than rebuilding. If the work changes the underlying structure, use 'renovation' or 'overhaul' instead.

常見錯誤

❌They built a new wing — a real facelift.
✅They built a new wing
💡a major renovation.' — a facelift is cosmetic; structural work needs a different word.