scowl

American  

[skoul] / skaʊl /

verb (used without object)

1. to draw down or contract the brows in a sullen, displeased, or angry manner.

   Synonyms:

   glare, lower, frown

2. to have a gloomy or threatening look.

   Synonyms:

   gloom, glower

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verb (used with object)

1. to affect or express with a scowl.

noun

1. a scowling expression, look, or aspect.

scowl British  

/ skaʊl /

verb

1. (intr) to contract the brows in a threatening or angry manner

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noun

1. a gloomy or threatening expression

Other Word Forms

• scowler noun
• scowlful adjective
• scowlingly adverb
• unscowling adjective
• unscowlingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of scowl

1300–50; Middle English scoulen (v.); perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Danish skule to scowl, Norwegian skule to look furtively, though these may be < Low German schūlen to spy

Example Sentences

She scowled at me and shut the windows.

From Literature

Sheba scowled as she hunched her shoulders and stared at Rowan.

From Literature

You started scowling and yelling and listening to punk rock music.

From Literature

My mouth wanted to smile instead of scowl.

From Literature

Sam scowled and drove his spoon around his plate, pushing a trail through some peas into a mound of squash.

From Literature

Related Words

• glare
• glower
• grimace