adjective
barefaced
BAIR-fayst/ˈberfeɪst/
With the face uncovered.
The barefaced adult has visible icing around the uncovered mouth.
Etymology
Having a bare face originally meant having the face uncovered or shaven. This became “unconcealed,” then “shameless”: something objectionable is openly displayed rather than hidden.
In context
it is they that do most harm and shelter the most barefaced practices; for in the houses of lords and gentlemen of quality the notorious sharpers dare not attempt to play their tricks
More examples
- The portrait shows a barefaced young woman.
- He told a barefaced lie despite the obvious evidence.
- Their barefaced dishonesty shocked even their supporters.
Similar words
- unmasked
- Specifically describes the absence or removal of a mask.
- brazen
- Describes shameless boldness without the uncovered-face meaning.