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

If only his dour and prickly assistant Patricia (Kate O’Flynn) would stop mentioning her encounter with the murderous Boogeyman. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Alice Bailey Johnson is a real live wire, a perfect complement to O’Flynn’s more dour Amy. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

Matt Reeves’ film is also on the dour side, without the genre-mixing playfulness that enlivens its predecessor and sequel. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

But then a dour security officer took him aside and gave the back of his power bank the stink eye. — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 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