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 of dour

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

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

Bonds have therefore long been considered the most boring bit of finance, the dour, dependable sibling to the racier, more glamorous stock market. — Robin Wigglesworth, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

In traditional blinds, dour sommeliers in waistcoats sniff out the differences between cuvées grown a few miles apart in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. — Arthur Holland Michel, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Performance sneaker sales have been a bright spot for growth in an otherwise dour period for the athletic footwear industry. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Circling back to the upbeat pop and rock of Vacation and the dour synth-pop of Beautiful, this artist seems done twisting to find herself and less prone to the sudden adjustments to her persona that made her catalogue spicy. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

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