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
British Dictionary definitions for frown on
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
Idioms and Phrases with frown on
frown on
Regard with disapproval or distaste, as in Pat frowns on bad language. this idiom transfers the disapproving facial expression to the thought it expresses. [Late 1500s]