countenance

1 of 2

noun

coun·​te·​nance ˈkau̇n-tᵊn-ən(t)s 

ˈkau̇nt-nən(t)s

1

a

: look, expression

… a countenance which expressed both good humor and intelligence …

—Sir Walter Scott

b

: mental composure

… startled, and also somewhat out of countenance.

—Arnold Bennett

c

: calm expression

He managed to keep his countenance through the ordeal.

2

: face, visage

especially : the face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character

The photograph showed his somber countenance.

3

: bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction : moral support

… her countenance of their unsafe amusements …

—Jane Austen

4

archaic

a

: aspect, semblance

b

: pretense

5

obsolete : bearing, demeanor

countenance

2 of 2

verb

countenanced; countenancing

transitive verb

: to extend approval or toleration to : sanction

refused to countenance any changes in the policy

countenancer noun

Did you know?

Let’s face it: the countenance familiar to modern speakers does not bear an obvious resemblance to its Latin root continēre, meaning “to hold together” (a root it shares with contain). But the path between continēre and countenance becomes clearer when we think of the figurative “holding together” present in the idea of restraint. When countenance was first used in English (having traveled from Latin through Anglo-French) it referred to a person’s appearance or behavior—their demeanor—which is a product of restraint, or the lack thereof. And from “demeanor” it was just a hop, skip, and a jump to “facial expression.” A few centuries after that development, in the late 16th century, countenance faced a new task head-on—use as a verb meaning “to extend approval or toleration to.”

Synonyms

Noun

• cast
• expression
• face
• look
• visage

Verb

• accept
• approve (of)
• care (for)
• favor
• OK
• okay
• subscribe (to)

Examples of countenance in a Sentence

Noun

… his white countenance was rendered eerie by the redness of the sagging lids below his eyes … —John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994

You could see it in his frame and deportment … a beaming countenance, expansive salutations, a warm handshake … —Simon Schama, Granta, Autumn 1990

All, all are kind to me but their tones fall strangely on my ear & their countenances meet mine not like home faces … —Emily Dickinson 17 Feb. 1848, in Selected Letters,  (1914) 1986

Before receiving him, Henry had so possessed himself that no one could guess from his countenance with what sentiments he remembered the young king. —Amy Kelly, Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings, 1950

The photograph showed his somber countenance.

a pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease

Verb

But there are only two logical choices …  . If you can't countenance the first, you have to accept the second. —Anna Quindlen, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2007

… the constellation of family emotions—love, obedience, rivalry, repression—can turn a family into a moral system of its own in which even the greatest horrors can be countenanced in the name of loyalty and love … —Scott Turow, Times Literary Supplement, 15 Mar. 1991

They disapproved of the marriage, and could not be expected to countenance it. —Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, 1891

I don't countenance such behavior in children of any age.

countenanced the delays and inconveniences of traveling by air with good grace

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His face, much like Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) dour, unforgiving countenance, is not that of a happy man. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 May 2025

Now, van der Heyden is in his early seventies with a stern, serious countenance that belies a life lived with tremendous joy and adventure. —John Semley, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2025

Verb

Trump seems to be offering Israel a deal: The U.S. will countenance the ethnic cleansing of Gaza so long as America gets a prime piece of oceanfront property at the end of it. —Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2025

With India’s borders enjoying a modicum of stability after border crises in 2019 and 2020, Indian strategists can countenance lower operational readiness over the next few years, even if that means living with some vulnerability. —Sameer Lalwani, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English contenance, from Anglo-French cuntenance, contenance, from Medieval Latin continentia, from Latin, restraint, from continent-, continens, present participle of continēre to hold together — more at contain

Verb

derivative of countenance entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Verb

1568, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for countenance

• discountenance

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Kids Definition

countenance

1 of 2 noun

coun·​te·​nance ˈkau̇nt-ᵊn-ənts 

ˈkau̇nt-nənts

1

a

: calm expression

b

: calmness of mind

2

a

: face entry 1 sense 1

b

: an expression on the face

especially : a facial expression as a sign of mood, emotion, or character

3

: a show of approval

gave no countenance to the plan

countenance

2 of 2 verb

countenanced; countenancing

: tolerate sense 1, encourage

refused to countenance their behavior