frown

American  

[froun] / fraʊn /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of frown

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

Example Sentences

In the troika of major figures in the Russian Revolution, Trotsky stood for ideas and Stalin represented power; their predecessor, Vladimir Lenin, had fused the two values as the frowning avatar of communist leadership.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mama frowned and said, “That crazy old cow anyhow. Jay Berry, you be careful. I worry every time you go down in those bottoms.”

From Literature

Ida’s cheerful face fell, and her older sister looked at me with a suspicious frown.

From Literature

Back then people frowned at the notion of eating between meals, so snacking was not a thing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jonah frowned and began gathering up the papers.

From Literature

Related Words

• glare
• glower
• grimace
• pout