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

With a grimace, Dalton says, “You were right, bro. You won the bet. Let’s kick this off with your poppy song.”

From Literature

“No, Hesterfowl, I have no eyeball behind this monocle. See? The monocle is”—he grimaced, for this was the second time this week he’d been forced to say it—“decorative.”

From Literature

But that didn’t stop Team USA from trying out a stand-up-and-salute shtick as a collection of America’s finest players grimaced their way through the recent World Baseball Classic.

From Salon

Her grin turned briefly to a grimace before she asked, “Your family has a store? Which one?”

From Literature

His angular head topped with a green felt crown; his toothy mouth a sinister, grimacing gash; his eyes blackened with what looks like charcoal.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contort
• frown
• scowl
• smirk
• sneer