frown

[froun]

verb (used without object)

1. to contract the brow, as in displeasure or deep thought; scowl.

   Synonyms: gloom, lower, glower

2. to look displeased; have an angry look.

3. to view with disapproval; look disapprovingly (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to frown upon a scheme.

verb (used with object)

1. to express by a frown.

   to frown one's displeasure.

2. to force or shame with a disapproving frown.

   to frown someone into silence.

noun

1. a frowning look; scowl.

2. any expression or show of disapproval.

   a tax bill that received Congressional frowns.

frown

/ fraʊn /

verb

1. (intr) to draw the brows together and wrinkle the forehead, esp in worry, anger, or concentration

2. (intr; foll by on or upon) to have a dislike (of); look disapprovingly (upon)

   the club frowned upon political activity by its members

3. (tr) to express (worry, etc) by frowning

4. to force, silence, etc, by a frowning look

noun

1. the act of frowning

2. a show of dislike or displeasure

Other Word Forms

• frowner noun
• frowningly adverb
• half-frowning adjective
• half-frowningly adverb
• unfrowning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of frown¹

1350–1400; Middle English frounen < Old French froignier, derivative of froigne surly expression, probably < Gaulish *frognā; compare Welsh ffroen, Old Breton fron nostril, Old Irish srón nose < Celtic *srognā or *sroknā

Word History and Origins

Origin of frown¹

C14: from Old French froigner , of Celtic origin; compare Welsh ffroen nostril, Middle Breton froan

Example Sentences

At the food bank, Grahame Lucas said he worked to "turn frowns upside down".

From BBC

But, for the most part, our courts have frowned upon such obvious racism — though not always.

From Los Angeles Times

Often Gail looks like she’s frowning, but it’s just that she has poor vision and is straining to see through her prescription lenses.

From Los Angeles Times

And third, the Supreme Court has frowned on recent presidents who relied on old laws to justify bold, new, costly regulations.

From Los Angeles Times

It was Sydney Brown's mother who first noticed her frown line.

From BBC

Related Words

• glare 
• glower 
• grimace 
• pout