frown
to contract the brow, as in displeasure or deep thought; scowl.
to look displeased; have an angry look.
to view with disapproval; look disapprovingly (usually followed by on or upon): to frown upon a scheme.
to express by a frown: to frown one's displeasure.
to force or shame with a disapproving frown: to frown someone into silence.
a frowning look; scowl.
any expression or show of disapproval: a tax bill that received Congressional frowns.
Origin of frown
1Other words for frown
Other words from frown
- frowner, noun
- frown·ing·ly, adverb
- half-frowning, adjective
- half-frown·ing·ly, adverb
- un·frown·ing, adjective
Words Nearby frown
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use frown in a sentence
“Lilly… Ledbetter…” we whisper to ourselves as we frown at men.
Early the next morning, “frown,” Jai Johany Johnson, is living up to his nickname in the hotel restaurant.
Stacks: Hitting the Note with the Allman Brothers Band | Grover Lewis | March 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWe watched her float about, a meandering frown, for two whole hours in the season premiere as she mourned the death of Matthew.
‘Downton Abbey’ Finale Review: The Depressing Demise of a Once-Great Show | Kevin Fallon | February 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI made choices that took me down a path that many people frown upon.
Traditional matchmakers, eager to distinguish themselves from a dating service, would frown on this feature.
Anna Gristina, the Accused Mommy Madam, and Her Matchmaking Defense | Tracy Quan | June 25, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
The tiny frown reappeared between her eyes, lingered a trifle longer than before, and vanished.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodHis brows came together in a frown, from which the Seneschal argued that his suggestion was not well received.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniIn fact, so much of her smooth brow as could be seen under a broad-brimmed straw hat was wrinkled in a decided frown.
The Red Year | Louis TracyOld David Arden stepped back a little, growing pale, with a sudden frown.
Checkmate | Joseph Sheridan Le FanuA frown momentarily darkened the cloudless brow of Aristide Pujol.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. Locke
British Dictionary definitions for frown
/ (fraʊn) /
(intr) to draw the brows together and wrinkle the forehead, esp in worry, anger, or concentration
(intr; foll by on or upon) to have a dislike (of); look disapprovingly (upon): the club frowned upon political activity by its members
(tr) to express (worry, etc) by frowning
(tr often foll by down) to force, silence, etc, by a frowning look
the act of frowning
a show of dislike or displeasure
Origin of frown
1Derived forms of frown
- frowner, noun
- frowningly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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