Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

frown on/upon

phrasal verb
See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

Definition of frown on/upon

: to disapprove of (something)
  • The company frowns on dating among employees.
  • Public expressions of affection are frowned upon in many cultures.

Word by Word Definitions

frown play

  1. : to contract the brow in displeasure or concentration

  2. : to give evidence of displeasure or disapproval by or as if by facial expression

  3. : to show displeasure with or disapproval of especially by facial expression

  1. : an expression of displeasure

  2. : a wrinkling of the brow in displeasure or concentration

See the full definition of frown
upon play

  1. : on

  1. : on the surface : on it

  2. : thereafter, thereon

See the full definition of upon

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up frown on/upon? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

headlong

play

without deliberation, pause, or delay

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  2. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  3. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  4. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

  5. oligarch 'government in which a small group exercises control'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97
Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

alt-5ad77fad37d22
What the #@*% Is a ‘Grawlix'?

We can thank Beetle Bailey.

alt-5ad76a1542e73
'Altho' vs. 'Although'

Altho doesn't get much love.

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
Word Winder's CrossWinder
Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game