Dictionary.com

grimace

[ grim-uhs, gri-meys ]
/ ˈgrɪm əs, grɪˈmeɪs /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: grimace / grimacing 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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use grimace in a sentence

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
FEEDBACK