scowl

1 of 2

verb

ˈskau̇(-ə)l 

scowled; scowling; scowls

intransitive verb

1

: to contract the brow in an expression of displeasure

2

: to exhibit a threatening aspect

transitive verb

: to express with a scowl

scowler noun

scowlingly

ˈskau̇-liŋ-lē 

adverb

scowl

2 of 2

noun

: a facial expression of displeasure : frown

Synonyms

Verb

• frown
• glare
• gloom
• glower
• lower
• lour

Noun

• face
• frown
• grimace
• lower
• lour
• moue
• mouth
• mow
• mug
• pout
• snoot

Examples of scowl in a Sentence

Verb

scowled down at the misbehaving child

Noun

The teacher gave me a scowl when I walked in late.

She responded to his question with a scowl.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Bruce, now 69, appears to be holding the camera and scowling into the lens. —Jack Smart, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024

The Collegeville outfit came with the mask of a scowling pirate with an open eye-patch that looked more like a black eye and a sickly green pallor that would shiver the timbers of the saltiest sea dog. —René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Oct. 2024

Noun

The New Orleans rapper was shirtless in both photos, sporting an incredulous expression in the first and an angry scowl in the second. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 11 Sep. 2024

Even Trump’s scowl in his booking photo made its way onto mugs and NFTs in his campaign store. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English skoulen, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish skule to scowl

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

circa 1520, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scowl

1 of 2 verb

ˈskau̇(ə)l 

1

: to make a frowning expression of displeasure

2

: to exhibit or express with a scowl

scowler noun

scowlingly

ˈskau̇-liŋ-lē 

adverb

scowl

2 of 2 noun

: an expression of displeasure on the face : frown