scowl

[ skoul ]

/ skaʊl /

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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.

OTHER WORDS FOR scowl

1 frown, lower, glare.

2 glower, gloom.

See synonyms for scowl on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

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Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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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 FROM scowl

scowler, nounscowlful, adjectivescowl·ing·ly, adverbun·scowl·ing, adjective

un·scowl·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby scowl

scouting, Scout Leader, scoutmaster, Scoville scale, scow, scowl, scowler, scozza, SCP, SCPO, SCQF

How to use scowl in a sentence

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|DAILY BEAST
The familiar savage scowl has been replaced by a cheery grin.
The Unlikely Hero|Peter Oborne|October 13, 2008|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

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

scowl

OTHER WORDS FOR scowl

Origin of scowl

OTHER WORDS FROM scowl

Words nearby scowl

Words related to scowl

How to use scowl in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scowl

Word Origin for scowl