frown

1 of 2

verb

frowned; frowning; frowns

intransitive verb

1
: to contract the brow in displeasure or concentration
frowned in anger
2
: to give evidence of displeasure or disapproval by or as if by facial expression
critics frown on the idea

transitive verb

: to show displeasure with or disapproval of especially by facial expression
I will be neither frowned nor ridiculed into errorNoah Webster
frowner noun
frowningly adverb

frown

2 of 2

noun

1
: an expression of displeasure
2
: a wrinkling of the brow in displeasure or concentration
frowny adjective informal
a frowny face

Examples of frown in a Sentence

Verb She was frowning when she entered the room, so I knew that she was annoyed about something. the boss just stood there and frowned at his assistant who, once again, was in trouble Noun it was clear from the frown on the CEO's face that sales were headed in the wrong direction
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.
Verb
According to Coker, Robb & Cannon, these consequences can also damage your case in family court, as judges generally frown on surveillance between spouses or co-parents. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025 Not explained is whether Makary would be happier if drug companies placed ads with immobile patients, frowns, and funereal music. John Tamny, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
There's room for laughs amid the tears and smiles amid the frowns. David Oliver, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025 Over the course of an hour, a virtuosic guitarist, a singer, and three dancers performed a program of mournful music and percussive dance, their faces set in serious frowns—an integral part of the performance. Fiona Mozley, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for frown

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English frounen, from Middle French frogner to snort, frown, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh ffroen nostril, Old Irish srón nose

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of frown was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frown. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

frown

1 of 2 verb
1
: to wrinkle the forehead (as in anger or thought)
2
: to show displeasure or disapproval by or as if by facial expression
frowns on rudeness
frowner noun
frowningly adverb

frown

2 of 2 noun
1
: an expression of displeasure
2
: a wrinkling of the brow in displeasure or thought

More from Merriam-Webster on frown

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