frown

[ froun ]

verb (used without object)

1. to contract the brow, as in displeasure or deep thought; scowl.

   Synonyms: gloom, lower, glower

2. to look displeased; have an angry look.
3. to view with disapproval; look disapprovingly (usually followed by on or upon ):

   to frown upon a scheme.

verb (used with object)

1. to express by a frown:

   to frown one's displeasure.

2. to force or shame with a disapproving frown:

   to frown someone into silence.

noun

1. a frowning look; scowl.
2. any expression or show of disapproval:

   a tax bill that received Congressional frowns.

frown

/ fraʊn /

verb

1. intr to draw the brows together and wrinkle the forehead, esp in worry, anger, or concentration
2. intr; foll by on or upon to have a dislike (of); look disapprovingly (upon)

   the club frowned upon political activity by its members

3. tr to express (worry, etc) by frowning
4. troften foll bydown to force, silence, etc, by a frowning look

noun

1. the act of frowning
2. a show of dislike or displeasure

Derived Forms

• ˈfrowningly, adverb
• ˈfrowner, noun

Other Words From

• frowner noun
• frowning·ly adverb
• half-frowning adjective
• half-frowning·ly adverb
• un·frowning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of frown¹

1350–1400; Middle English frounen < Old French froignier, derivative of froigne surly expression, probably < Gaulish *frognā; compare Welsh ffroen, Old Breton fron nostril, Old Irish srón nose < Celtic *srognā or *sroknā

Word History and Origins

Origin of frown¹

C14: from Old French froigner , of Celtic origin; compare Welsh ffroen nostril, Middle Breton froan

Example Sentences

Owners might initially frown on a woman being a jockey.

From BBC

“The conversation is starting to shift, where more and more men are talking about their emotions and leaning into the uncomfortable conversations that historically have been frowned upon and looked at as weak,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

“On the news, when they’re doing the weather, they totally ignore us,” she said, frowning.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m sure in country music it’s frowned upon.

From Los Angeles Times

In Zambia, for instance, talking about anything gynaecological is frowned upon.

From BBC

Related Words

• glare
• glower
• grimace
• pout