frown
/ˈfɹaʊ̯n/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.26 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A wrinkling of the forehead with the eyebrows brought together, typically indicating displeasure, severity, or concentration.
noun
A downturn of the corners of the mouth, typically expressing sadness.
Canadian usage; American usage
noun
Any facial expression that indicates disapproval or displeasure.
verb
To manifest displeasure or disapprobation; to look with disfavour or threateningly.
Intransitive verb
verb
To repress or repel by expressing displeasure or disapproval; to rebuke with a look.
Transitive verb
Example Sentences
- "Philip had once told him of a man who had a horse-shoe frown, and Tom had tried with all his frowning-might to make a horse-shoe on his forehead"
- "He encounters some obstacle in his train of reasoning ... and then a frown passes like a shadow over his brow."
- "The smile and the frown are both indicated and the operation of a motor driven flasher causes the face to look happy and sad in turn."
- "She frowned when I told her the news."
- "Noisy gossip in the library is frowned upon."
- "The sky doth frown and lower upon our army."
Etymology
From Middle English frown, froun (“a threatening appearance; lowering of the clouds”), from frounen (“to frown”). See below.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: frown, frounen, froignier, fruncāre, *hrunkwittjā, -
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈfɹaʊ̯n/
- British English: /ˈfɹaʊ̯n/
Usage
- Canadian usage
- American usage
- Intransitive verb
- Transitive verb