scowl

[ skoul ]

See synonyms for: scowl scowled scowling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to draw down or contract the brows in a sullen, displeased, or angry manner.
to have a gloomy or threatening look.

verb (used with object)

to affect or express with a scowl.

noun

a scowling expression, look, or aspect.

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

Other words for scowl

1	frown, lower, glare
2	glower, gloom

See synonyms for scowl on Thesaurus.com

Other words from scowl

scowler, noun
scowlful, adjective
scowl·ing·ly, adverb
un·scowl·ing, adjective
un·scowl·ing·ly, adverb

Words Nearby scowl

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

How to use scowl in a sentence

Dream is something of a straight man amid so much weirdness, but Sturridge possesses just the right combination of baby face and scowl.
Netflix’s Mesmerizing Sandman Adaptation Is Well Worth the Decades-Long Wait | Judy Berman | August 5, 2022 | Time
She transformed her scowl into a tight smile and began serving dinner to her guests.
Puerto Rican pernil is a standout Thanksgiving roast. Just guard that crispy skin. | Monti Carlo | November 18, 2021 | Washington Post
Clint Dempsey stalked off the field with a scowl on his face.
A Fabulous Tie | Joshua Robinson | June 18, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
The familiar savage scowl has been replaced by a cheery grin.
The Unlikely Hero | Peter Oborne | October 13, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST
Dan's jaws came together with a snap and a dark scowl came over his face.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. Dunn

Look at him, how he scowls at you on your entering an inn-room; think how you scowl yourself to meet his scowl.
Little Travels and Roadside Sketches | William Makepeace Thackeray
Two of the house-carles led him up, and his face had as black a scowl on it as I had ever seen, and he looked sullenly at us.
A Prince of Cornwall | Charles W. Whistler
The juragan watched him suspiciously while the Dyak talked, but gradually his scowl faded.
The Argus Pheasant | John Charles Beecham
Hall leaned over a little, putting out his hand in a warning gesture, drawing his dark brows in a scowl.
The Flockmaster of Poison Creek | George W. Ogden

British Dictionary definitions for scowl

scowl

/ (skaʊl) /

verb

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

noun

a gloomy or threatening expression

Origin of scowl

C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Danish skule to look down, Old English scūlēgede squint-eyed

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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