# grimace

/ˈɡɹɪməs/ (US) · /ɡɹˈɪmɪs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grimace
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

a tight, twisted look on your face that shows pain, disgust, or dislike. You make one when something tastes bad or hurts.

For teachers: a distorted facial expression conveying pain, disgust, disapproval, or strained effort. Typically brief and involuntary, though also produced deliberately for comic or social effect.

## Examples

- She makes a grimace when she tastes the sour lemon.
- The boy makes a grimace as the nurse cleans his scraped knee with cold antiseptic.
- He greeted the news of the extra night shift with a grimace that tried to pass for a smile but betrayed his exhaustion.

## Synonyms

wince

## Antonyms

smile, grin

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.