facade
Deceptive outer surface
A facade is the front or face of a building, especially an architecturally significant one.
The word extends to any outward appearance that conceals something different behind it: His confidence was just a facade.
A facade suggests deliberate presentation—what you show the world versus what lies beneath.
Also spelled façade.
Absurd or obvious pretense
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- guiseExternal manner shown
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- affectationArtificial behavior for effect
sham · artifice · hypocrisy · insincerity · pose · bluff · disguise · playacting
Height above reference point
- corniceOrnamental upper trim
- balustradeRail supported by posts
- porticoColumned covered entryway
- colonnadeRow supporting a roof
pediment · pilaster · stucco · masonry · ornamentation · keystone · lintel · architrave
Outer portion
- imageVisual or mental likeness
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- outwardToward the outside
- visibleAble to be seen
cosmetic · polish · gloss · sheen · impression · semblance · outer · skin-deep
Point of access
- doorwayPassage into a room
- awningMounted overhead shelter
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
- signagePosted public displays
display · window · canopy · threshold · shopfront · frontage · sidewalk · streetscape
Atmospheric optical deception
- phantasmIllusory supernatural appearance
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
- figmentImagined thing, unreal
- apparitionVisible supernatural manifestation
specter · delusion · fantasy · hallucination · dream · vision · false impression · trick
charade
Absurd or obvious pretense
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- guiseExternal manner shown
- veneerDecorative outer layer
affectation · sham · artifice · hypocrisy · insincerity · pose · bluff · disguise · playacting · front
elevation
Height above reference point
- corniceOrnamental upper trim
- balustradeRail supported by posts
- porticoColumned covered entryway
colonnade · pediment · pilaster · stucco · masonry · ornamentation · keystone · lintel · architrave · fenestration
exterior
Outer portion
- imageVisual or mental likeness
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- outwardToward the outside
visible · cosmetic · polish · gloss · sheen · impression · semblance · outer · skin-deep · superficial
entrance
Point of access
signage · display · window · canopy · threshold · shopfront · frontage · sidewalk · streetscape · retail
mirage
Atmospheric optical deception
- phantasmIllusory supernatural appearance
- chimeraUnrealistic fantasy or hybrid
- figmentImagined thing, unreal
apparition · specter · delusion · fantasy · hallucination · dream · vision · false impression · trick · deceptive appearance
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- insincerityinsincerity, phoniness, fakeness, falseness, pretense
- LouvreMona Lisa, Venus de Milo, glass pyramid, Winged Victory, I. M. Pei
- colorful housescandy colored, painted ladies
- building facadescladding, curtain walls, glass walls, metal panels, stone veneer
- facadescurtain walls, front, false front, frontage, storefront
facadegenuineness
Quality of being real
authenticity · true self · substance · sincerity · essence
- building facadeStructure's outward-facing wall
- glass facadeTransparent architectural exterior
- temple facade
- stone facadeExterior wall's rock covering