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, adverb

Word 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]