1
: stern, harsh
a dour expression on her face
2
: obstinate, unyielding
an insistent hunger for learning and a dour … determination to achieve itWalter Moberly
3
: gloomy, sullen
a dour disposition
dourly adverb
dourness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Only this time, for the Edmonton Oilers, the feeling is even more dour. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 18 June 2025 The rain began to pelt down again just after 6 p.m. ET as the conditions again turned dour. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 15 June 2025 However, even dour seasons aren’t a huge concern for Scripps, which makes its money during the regular season and not the playoffs. Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 12 June 2025 There wasn’t all that much to John in his first movie, either, but Reeves found something wry in his character’s reluctant un-retirement from life in the suburbs and return to being a notorious badass, while de Armas just defaults toward the dour. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dour

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dour was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dour. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

dour

adjective
: looking or being stern or sullen
dourly adverb
dourness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dour

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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