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

• austere
• fierce
• flinty
• forbidding
• grim
• gruff
• intimidating
• lowering
• louring
• rough
• rugged
• severe
• stark
• steely
• stern
• ungentle

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

Sure, the subject matter is dark, but don’t expect a dour read. —Chloe Schama, Vogue, 18 July 2024

Veteran Democrats are in a dour mood but want to believe there are more turns of the wheel to come, something unexpected that could move the race away from Trump and back toward them. —Dan Balz, Washington Post, 18 July 2024

Yet the bears haven’t lost their personalities, from affable Henry the host to dour Big Al — whose first iconic guitar strum remains in the show. —Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2024

Its face was inclined to be dour and imposing, a Victorian riposte to rose-bricked, frivolous, Georgian Dublin. —Timothy O'Grady, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dour

adjective

ˈdu̇(ə)r  ˈdau̇(ə)r 

: looking or being stern or sullen

dourly adverb

dourness noun