frown
[ froun ]
/ fraʊn /
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
to express by a frown: to frown one's displeasure.
to force or shame with a disapproving frown: to frown someone into silence.
noun
a frowning look; scowl.
any expression or show of disapproval: a tax bill that received Congressional frowns.
Origin of frown
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
OTHER WORDS FROM frown
Words nearby frown
Example sentences from the Web for frown
British Dictionary definitions for frown
frown
/ (fraʊn) /
verb
(intr)
to draw the brows together and wrinkle the forehead, esp in worry, anger, or concentration
(intr; foll by on or upon)
to have a dislike (of); look disapprovingly (upon)
the club frowned upon political activity by its members
(tr)
to express (worry, etc) by frowning
(tr often foll by down)
to force, silence, etc, by a frowning look
noun
the act of frowning
a show of dislike or displeasure
Derived forms of frown
frowner, noun frowningly, adverbWord Origin for frown
C14: from Old French
froigner, of Celtic origin; compare Welsh
ffroen nostril, Middle Breton
froan