grimace

[ grim-uhs, gri-meys ]

noun

1. a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc.

verb (used without object)

, grim·aced, grim·ac·ing.

1. to make a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc.

grimace

/ ɡrɪˈmeɪs /

noun

1. an ugly or distorted facial expression, as of wry humour, disgust, etc

verb

1. intr to contort the face

Derived Forms

• griˈmacingly, adverb
• griˈmacer, noun

Other Words From

• grim·ac·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grimace¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from French, ultimately from Frankish grima (unrecorded) “mask” ( grim, grime ) + -azo, from Latin -āceus -aceous

Word History and Origins

Origin of grimace¹

C17: from French grimace, of Germanic origin; related to Spanish grimazo caricature; see grim

Example Sentences

With less than 30 minutes of training, people can learn to spot the twisted grimace of pain on animals’ faces, Leach says.

From Science News For Students

Afterwards, on his Instagram account, Willis posted a photo of the moment he crossed the finish line, his face contorted in a maniacal grimace.

From Outside Online

His face made a grimace of disgust and I immediately showed him the cut on my upper lip.

From Washington Blade

Todd reaches into the ooze of the Matrigel with his gloved hand, a grimace on his face.

From Nautilus

But, he said with a grimace, “I do judge by my meetings with people how forthright they are.”

From The Daily Beast

A petrified grimace wrinkles the white clay adorning her face.

From The Daily Beast

I gave him some brandy from my medicinal store, which he drank with a grimace.

From The Daily Beast

All that Bud Selig can do is grimace and give the game's perennial pariah a long, unpaid vacation.

From The Daily Beast

They transformed his smile into a rotting grimace, with a specialized mold.

From The Daily Beast

Just smiled, a sardonic sort of grimace, and unbuckled his belt and handed it over without a word.

From Project Gutenberg

He brought himself back with a grimace, aware that he was clutching the briefcase of tapes possessively from long habit.

From Project Gutenberg

He looked at Mandleco with immense disdain, gave a pert tilt of his head and surveyed the room with a grimace of distaste.

From Project Gutenberg

The countess-dowager, not finding words strong enough to express her feelings at this, made a grimace at him.

From Project Gutenberg

The veneer was gone now; Sheila Carmack's eyes were vicious pools of hate, her mouth a grimace.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contort
• frown
• scowl
• smirk
• sneer