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grimace

[ grim-uhs, gri-meys ]
/ ˈgrɪm əs, grɪˈmeɪs /
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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.
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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to grimace

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

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
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