scowl

[ skoul ]

/ skaʊl /

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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.

Nearby words

scouth, scouthood, scouting, scoutmaster, scow, scowl, scowler, scozza, scp, scpo, scqf

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

SYNONYMS FOR scowl

1 frown, lower, glare.

2 glower, gloom.

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Related forms

scowl·er, nounscowl·ful, adjectivescowl·ing·ly, adverbun·scowl·ing, adjective

un·scowl·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for scowl

Clint Dempsey stalked off the field with a scowl on his face.
A Fabulous Tie|Joshua Robinson|June 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
She wore a dress which did not suit her; her hair was awkwardly arranged; there was a scowl on her brow.
Light O' The Morning|L. T. Meade
The skipper stood with a scowl on his dark face and considered her.
The Harbor Master|Theodore Goodridge Roberts
With a brief speech, and a scowl at his sister, he left the house.
Hard Times|Charles Dickens

But with the slam of the door the scowl broke, and he laughed.
The Hole in the Wall|Arthur Morrison
The maid smiled, but Glen's scowl quickly frightened it away.
The Sweep Winner|Nat Gould

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

Word Origin for 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