grimace

American  

[grim-uhs, gri-meys] / ˈgrɪm əs, grɪˈmeɪs /

noun

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

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verb (used without object)

grimaced, grimacing

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

grimace British  

/ ɡrɪˈmeɪs /

noun

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

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verb

1. (intr) to contort the face

Other Word Forms

• grimacer noun
• grimacingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of grimace

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

Example Sentences

Owen grimaced as George pulled him out of the hole and redid his bandage.

From Literature

He tried to look as shocked as the others when host Claudia Winkleman slammed Faith's coffin lid shut, but couldn't help a guilty grimace.

From BBC

She took one look at the time on her phone and grimaced.

From Literature

With his eyes closed and his face grimacing, he grappled for a bolt.

From The Wall Street Journal

Pictures and videos circulating online and also shared by local state authorities showed a shirtless Joshua -- a British national of Nigerian heritage -- grimacing in pain as he was helped step out of the car.

From Barron's

Related Words

• contort
• frown
• scowl
• smirk
• sneer