What does facebook mean?
Facebook is a widely used social networking service launched in 2004 that allows people to create profiles, share photos and updates, join groups, and communicate with friends and organizations. Named after the printed directories of student photographs traditionally distributed at American universities, it grew into one of the largest online platforms in the world and reshaped how people keep in touch, consume news, and advertise. In everyday English, "Facebook" functions chiefly as a proper noun for the site and its parent company, appearing in phrases like "post it on Facebook" or "check your Facebook." It is also used informally as a verb — "I'll facebook you" — meaning to send someone a message through the service. Because it is a brand name, formal writing usually capitalizes it and may prefer generic terms such as "social network."
A popular social networking website and company on which users create profiles, share content, and interact with others.
"Her small business attracts most of its customers through its Facebook page."
Capitalized as a brand name.
(Informal) To contact or communicate with someone using Facebook.
"Just Facebook me if you need the address again."
Casual register; often written lowercase.
Rarely pluralized since it refers to a single named platform; a plural would appear only in informal contexts referring to multiple accounts or hypothetical versions of the site.
"Some people maintain separate facebooks for their personal and professional lives."
Facebook was once just a printed booklet of student photos handed out at American universities — which is exactly where the website got its name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of facebook
The name combines the everyday English nouns "face" (from Latin facies) and "book" (from Old English bōc). It derives from the "face books" or photo directories some American colleges traditionally published for incoming students; Mark Zuckerberg's Harvard-based project adopted this name when it launched in 2004. The element "face" appears in many English derivatives from Latin facies, such as "facial," "preface," and "surface."
How facebook is actually used
As a proper noun referring to the platform, it is normally capitalized. The informal verb use ("to facebook someone") is casual register, common in speech among younger speakers, and is typically lowercase.
Easily confused with facebook
"Face value" means the apparent worth printed on something such as a ticket or coin, whereas Facebook is a specific social networking platform.