facet
noun
fac·et ˈfa-sət 
1
: any of the definable aspects that make up a subject (as of contemplation) or an object (as of consideration)
Each facet of the problem requires careful attention.
2
: a small plane surface (as on a cut gem) see brilliant illustration
3
: the external corneal surface of an ommatidium
4
: a smooth flat circumscribed anatomical surface (as of a bone)
faceted adjective
or facetted
ˈfa-sə-təd
Synonyms
- angle
- aspect
- hand
- phase
- side
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Each facet of the problem requires careful attention. the different facets of our culture Which facet of his character is most appealing? the facets of a diamond
Recent Examples on the Web Buried in the absurdity of AU$10.5 million going missing without anyone at Crypto.com noticing is another eyebrow-raising facet of the case—regarding how court documents can be served digitally. 
Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 31 Aug. 2022 Consider another facet of crypto that would shock the drafters of the 1933 Securities Act. J.w. Verret, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 And as for Eddie, a would-be leading man, his Asian features relegate him to voiceovers and bit parts, confinements reflecting another ugly facet of wartime xenophobia. Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2022 As firefighters battled raging wildfires for the eighth consecutive day in southwest France, scenes of devastation emerged from the ashes, underscoring yet another facet of the disastrous effects of the heat wave currently sweeping Europe. New York Times, 19 July 2022 Opening doors for more musicians is another facet of the Classical Crossover genre. Steve Smith, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2022 Another new dinosaur has helped add another facet to the story. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 May 2022 Which is yet another facet of today’s automotive industry that both Henry Ford and Henry M. Leland might not have foreseen 100 years ago. Karl Brauer, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2022 Instead, in the Kremlin version — the only one most Russians see, with all others outlawed — the battlefields of Ukraine are one facet of a wider civilizational war being waged against Russia. New York Times, 21 Aug. 2022 See More
Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 31 Aug. 2022 Consider another facet of crypto that would shock the drafters of the 1933 Securities Act. J.w. Verret, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 And as for Eddie, a would-be leading man, his Asian features relegate him to voiceovers and bit parts, confinements reflecting another ugly facet of wartime xenophobia. Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2022 As firefighters battled raging wildfires for the eighth consecutive day in southwest France, scenes of devastation emerged from the ashes, underscoring yet another facet of the disastrous effects of the heat wave currently sweeping Europe. New York Times, 19 July 2022 Opening doors for more musicians is another facet of the Classical Crossover genre. Steve Smith, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2022 Another new dinosaur has helped add another facet to the story. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 May 2022 Which is yet another facet of today’s automotive industry that both Henry Ford and Henry M. Leland might not have foreseen 100 years ago. Karl Brauer, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2022 Instead, in the Kremlin version — the only one most Russians see, with all others outlawed — the battlefields of Ukraine are one facet of a wider civilizational war being waged against Russia. New York Times, 21 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from French facette "individual surface (of an object with many surfaces, as a gem)," going back to Middle French fasette, from face face entry 1 + -ette -ette
First Known Use
1622, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing facet
Kids Definition
facet
noun
fac·et ˈfa-sət
: one of the small flat surfaces on a cut gem
Medical Definition
facet
noun
fac·et ˈfas-ət
ˌfa-ˈset
: a smooth flat or nearly flat circumscribed anatomical surface
the articular facet of a bone
facet
noun
as in aspect
a certain way in which something appears or may be regarded there are so many facets to Benjamin Franklin: statesman, scientist, inventor, American original Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aspect
- side
- hand
- phase
- angle
- part
- element
- state
- component
- dimension
- regard
- period
- shape
- view
- condition
- appearance
- perspective
- character
- particular
- stage
- look
- instance
- face
- viewpoint
- color
- air
- item
- position
- factor
- article
- step
- outlook
- interpretation
- version
- semblance
- standpoint
- case
- visage
- complexion
- shoes
- matter
- detail
- stance
- reading
- slant
- respect
- translation
- posture
- rendering
- count
- point