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

Doncic went up and down the court several times, grimacing in pain.

From Los Angeles Times

The Lakers were down by nine when Doncic departed, rubbing the back of his left thigh and grimacing in discomfort and clear frustration.

From Barron's

Julio was sitting in the PT room, in a chair amid all the torture equipment, grimacing into the phone like he was the one being tortured.

From Literature

Christopher looked at Mal, his eyebrows high behind the woman’s back, and they exchanged grimaces.

From Literature

She smiles, but it comes out more like a grimace.

From Literature

Related Words

• contort
• frown
• scowl
• smirk
• sneer