ENGLISH
REFERENCE

frown

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈfɹaʊn// UK //fɹˈaʊn// frown

n. a facial expression that shows you are angry, worried, or thinking hard. It happens when you move your eyebrows together and create lines on your forehead.

n. a facial expression characterized by the furrowing of the brow, typically indicating displeasure, concentration, or confusion.


SIMPLE

She had a deep frown on her face while reading.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher noticed the student's frown and asked if the instructions for the exam were unclear.

COMPLEX

A slight frown of concentration appeared on the architect's face as she scrutinized the structural flaws in the blueprint.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English frown, froun (“a threatening appearance; lowering of the clouds”), from frounen (“to frown”). See below.

Etymology 2

From Middle English frounen (“to frown as an expression of disapproval, displeasure, shame, fear, or jealousy”), from Old French frognier (“to frown or scowl”), from Gaulish frognā (“nostril”), from Proto-Celtic srognā.

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'wear' or 'have', and frequently paired with the preposition 'of' to describe the emotion.

Idioms1 entry

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