countenance
Americannoun
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countenances
plural
-
appearance, especially the look or expression of the face.
a sad countenance.
-
the face; visage.
-
calm facial expression; composure.
-
approval or favor; encouragement; moral support.
-
Obsolete. bearing; behavior.
verb (used with object)
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countenances,
present (3rd person singular)
-
countenanced,
past participle, past
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countenancing
present participle
-
to permit or tolerate.
You should not have countenanced his rudeness.
-
to approve, support, or encourage.
idioms
noun
-
the face, esp when considered as expressing a person's character or mood
a pleasant countenance
-
support or encouragement; sanction
-
composure; self-control (esp in the phrases keep or lose one's countenance; out of countenance )
verb
-
to support or encourage; sanction
-
to tolerate; endure
Synonym Usage
See face.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
countenancesimple
-
countenancessimple
-
have countenancedperfect
-
has countenancedperfect
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am countenancingprogressive
-
are countenancingprogressive
-
is countenancingprogressive
-
have been countenancingperfect progressive
-
has been countenancingperfect progressive
Past
-
countenancedsimple
-
had countenancedperfect
-
was countenancingprogressive
-
were countenancingprogressive
-
had been countenancingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of countenance
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English cuntenaunce “behavior, bearing, self-control,” from Anglo-French cuntena(u)nce, Old French contenance, from Medieval Latin “way of living, demeanor,” from Latin continentia “self-control, restraint”; see continence
Explanation
The noun countenance means the face or its expression. If you're a great poker player, you probably have a calm countenance. Countenance comes from a French word for "behavior," but it has become a fancy term for either the expression of a face or the face itself: "He had a puzzled countenance," or "what a charming countenance!" Countenance can also be a verb meaning to tolerate or approve. If someone does something offensive, tell them, "I'm afraid I can't countenance that."
Vocabulary lists containing countenance
"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
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Face It: Selfie Vocab
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"The Raven"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It's hard to imagine how Elkann and Vigna could or would countenance any situation where they were removed from any input into the F1 team.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
When he speaks of Likho, he speaks with a tender cadence and dignified countenance, as if he were his own.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
But despite soundtracking 128 episodes worth of hormonal melodrama, Cole’s song most immediately evokes one image: the devilishly handsome, All-American countenance of the show’s star, James Van Der Beek.
From Salon ● Feb. 15, 2026
Over time, you can see that he has come to believe that the problems of the country need something more radical than either of the traditional big parties are prepared to countenance.
From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2026
Some change of countenance was necessary for each gentleman as they walked into Mrs. Weston’s drawing-room;—Mr. Elton must compose his joyous looks, and Mr. John Knightley disperse his ill-humour.
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
The settings do not merely suggest sterility but concentrate the mind on the performers’ fascinating countenances.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
He was also the only barefaced person in a sea of masked countenances.
From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2020
Every person faces the same way, their countenances drawn and unsmiling, a picture of dreary conformity.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 9, 2018
His rough-edged, early-modernist style suits their humble clothing and vanquished countenances.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 10, 2016
Presently the tumult died down.The four pigs waited, trembling, w'ith guilt written on every line of their countenances.
From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell
“Catholics are not extremists,” he said, bristling at any suggestion that he would have countenanced targeting Americans because of the nature of their religious beliefs.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 20, 2023
It understood its sector — venture capitalists and technology start-ups — and made loans that national banks would never have countenanced.
From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2023
Because it is outrageous that such a wealthy city has countenanced inhuman living conditions like this for years.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 25, 2023
But there was no evidence that Gore was aware of any straw-donor campaign contribution scheme by a foreign adversary, which he would never have countenanced.
From Slate ● Aug. 9, 2018
Despite the ominous tone, and my better instincts, I’d countenanced enough inmate misbehavior and disrespect to feel invigorated by the thought that this is where it all stops.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
But this flexibility with the case’s facts is one of many acts of distancing that aid in countenancing the unthinkable.
From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2025
Even this court, though, can hopefully still be shamed from countenancing the worst abuses of power likely to come before them.
From Slate ● May 18, 2023
Even wise, cool heads, such as the French diplomatist Jean-Marie Guéhenno, are seriously countenancing the idea that a no-deal Brexit may be better than prolonging the agony.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 9, 2019
At any rate, Rubio got flak from the right, which accused him of somehow countenancing illegal activity.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 10, 2015
How could we introduce through the Gospel a doctrine countenancing evil?
From Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Trinity Sunday to Advent by Martin Luther
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