grimace

American  

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

noun

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

---

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

---

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

“I know where it is,” he said through the grimace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

"Some attendees, unable to tolerate the stench, grimace and cover their noses as they approach the flower."

From Salon • May 27, 2025

Actually, she reclined for the interview, slipping off her heels and stretching out on a leather chaise under a waffle-weave blanket that she eventually cast aside with a grimace.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2024

He can crack a smile and a joke or two, but the bespectacled leader can often take on the grimace of a disappointed elder.

From BBC • Jul. 14, 2024

Misha’s little cousins each touched their tongues to the wine and then passed it on with a grimace.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

Related Words

• contort
• frown
• scowl
• smirk
• sneer