grimace

[ grim-uhs, gri-meys ]

noun

1. a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc.

verb (used without object)

, grim·aced, grim·ac·ing.

1. to make a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc.

grimace

/ ɡrɪˈmeɪs /

noun

1. an ugly or distorted facial expression, as of wry humour, disgust, etc

verb

1. intr to contort the face

Derived Forms

• griˈmacer, noun
• griˈmacingly, adverb

Other Words From

• grim·ac·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grimace¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from French, ultimately from Frankish grima (unrecorded) “mask” ( grim, grime ) + -azo, from Latin -āceus -aceous

Word History and Origins

Origin of grimace¹

C17: from French grimace, of Germanic origin; related to Spanish grimazo caricature; see grim

Example Sentences

But, he said with a grimace, “I do judge by my meetings with people how forthright they are.”

From The Daily Beast

A petrified grimace wrinkles the white clay adorning her face.

From The Daily Beast

I gave him some brandy from my medicinal store, which he drank with a grimace.

From The Daily Beast

All that Bud Selig can do is grimace and give the game's perennial pariah a long, unpaid vacation.

From The Daily Beast

They transformed his smile into a rotting grimace, with a specialized mold.

From The Daily Beast

Just smiled, a sardonic sort of grimace, and unbuckled his belt and handed it over without a word.

From Project Gutenberg

He brought himself back with a grimace, aware that he was clutching the briefcase of tapes possessively from long habit.

From Project Gutenberg

He looked at Mandleco with immense disdain, gave a pert tilt of his head and surveyed the room with a grimace of distaste.

From Project Gutenberg

The countess-dowager, not finding words strong enough to express her feelings at this, made a grimace at him.

From Project Gutenberg

The veneer was gone now; Sheila Carmack's eyes were vicious pools of hate, her mouth a grimace.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contort
• frown
• scowl
• smirk
• sneer