grimace

[ grim-uh s, gri-meys ]
/ ˈgrɪm əs, grɪˈmeɪs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR grimace ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

verb (used without object), grim·aced, grim·ac·ing.

to make grimaces.

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Origin of grimace

1645–55; < French ≪ Frankish *grima mask (cf. grime, grim) + -azo < Latin -āceus -aceous

OTHER WORDS FROM grimace

grim·ac·er, noungrim·ac·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby grimace

grillé, grilse, grim, grim dig, grim reaper, grimace, grimaldi, grimaldi man, grimaldian, grimalkin, grime
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to grimace

sneer, smirk, frown, scowl, contort, moue, mug, mouth, smile, face, mouthing, deform, distort, misshape

Example sentences from the Web for grimace

British Dictionary definitions for grimace

grimace
/ (ɡrɪˈmeɪs) /

noun

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

verb

(intr) to contort the face

Derived forms of grimace

grimacer, noungrimacingly, adverb

Word Origin for grimace

C17: from French grimace, of Germanic origin; related to Spanish grimazo caricature; see grim
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012