'east-facing' originates from Old English 'ēast' (meaning 'east') combined with the present participle 'facing', which comes via Middle English from Old French 'facier/face' and ultimately Latin 'facies' ('appearance' or 'face').

'east' comes from Old English 'ēast'. The verb 'face' developed through Old French and Middle English into 'face'/'facen' (to turn or look toward), and the present-participial adjective form 'facing' was later combined with directional nouns to form compounds like 'east-facing'.

Initially the components meant 'east' and 'to face' (or 'appearance'); combined as a compound they have long meant 'turned toward or oriented to the east', a meaning that has remained stable.