dour

adjective

ˈdau̇(-ə)r  ˈdu̇r 

1

: stern, harsh

a dour expression on her face

2

: obstinate, unyielding

an insistent hunger for learning and a dour … determination to achieve it

—Walter Moberly

3

: gloomy, sullen

a dour disposition

dourly adverb

dourness noun

Synonyms

• gruff
• grim
• stern
• fierce
• rugged
• bleak
• intimidating
• hostile
• forbidding

Examples of dour in a Sentence

She had a dour expression on her face.

the dour mood of the crowd

Recent Examples on the Web

After Reverend Forte's fortune is discovered, and Ada grabs hold of the house's purse strings, Agnes becomes characteristically dour about her diminished rank. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025

After some dour readings as Trump's tariff rhetoric ramped up earlier this year, the sentiment releases have stabilized. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2025

By contrast, Drebin Jr. is more like a clumsy, aging Saint Bernard: a big, shambling man who wears a dour frown but can turn touchy-feely when the talk turns to romance, owls, or turkey dinners. —Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025

Behind her dark wardrobe and dour demeanor lies benevolence and bravery. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dour

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• safflower
• sunflower
• wallflower
• watchtower

Kids Definition

dour

adjective

ˈdu̇(ə)r  ˈdau̇(ə)r 

: looking or being stern or sullen

dourly adverb

dourness noun