Our Personality Behind the Profile series, showcasing some of the most influential and popular social media profiles in the fire service looked at a dozen influencers. Robert Policht dives into how he ... I know that both facade and façade are valid in British English.

Understanding the Context

Is that also true for American English? Or should facade be used when writing something for American customers? This is something t... Spike0dxx suggests that this means "an impressive facade or show designed to hide an undesirable fact or condition", but I suggest that it is in fact even closer to your requirement than that.

Key Insights

Your example of a "hollow shell" that looks superb but has no substance is a good explanation of the term. "Putting on a show" put on a facade put on a show fake a situation The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, Second Edition - Page 365 Christine Ammer - 2013 put on an act pretend, esp in order to deceive; also, show off. For example, We were afraid Charlie had hurt himself, but he was just putting on an act, or We know you're a good swimmer—stop putting on an ... The horizontal decorated structure you see on the facade is an architectonic motif. In this specific case it is one of the Art Deco architectonic motifs which are often characterized by emphasised geometric forms as suggested in the following extract: The opposite facade: The windows had curtains, so there was no vis-à-vis, only the blank wall To be facing: She was vis-à-vis her husband, a pretty little thing she was too, ...

Final Thoughts

To be facing, reflexively: The café and the church were vis-à-vis Adverb To move into a facing position: They sat down vis-à-vis, each in his corner, ..