Frown: Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：furrow one's brows in displeasure (frown)

frown 🔊

/fraʊn/

vi.

When you frown, you bring your eyebrows together and often turn the corners of your mouth downwards, usually because you are upset, worried, or thinking hard.

Frown expression close-up woman furrowed brows displeasure

furrow one's brows in displeasure 🔊

➕

/ˈfɜroʊ wʌnz braʊz ɪn dɪsˈplɛʒər/

vi.

To contract the eyebrows and turn down the corners of the mouth, typically expressing unhappiness, worry, or deep thought.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Old French 'frognier', meaning to wrinkle the nose, possibly of Celtic origin.

💡 Mnemonic

Frown sounds like 'down' – when you feel down, you wear a frown on your face.

📖 Example

The teacher started to frown when she saw a student copying answers from a phone. 🔊 The teacher started to frown when she saw a student copying answers from a phone.

🔗 Collocations

frown at someone – to direct a frown toward someone as a sign of disapproval

frown upon something – to disapprove of something; to consider it unacceptable

deep frown – a very noticeable or intense frown

🔄 Synonyms

scowl (vi.) – to frown in an angry or threatening way, often with the corners of the mouth pulled down more sharply

glower (vi.) – to look at someone or something with a dark, angry expression, often showing strong displeasure

pout (vi.) – to push out the lips, usually to show annoyance or disappointment, sometimes combined with a slight frown

🚫 Antonyms

smile (vi.) – to form one's lips into a happy, pleased, or friendly expression, often with the corners of the mouth turned up

beam (vi.) – to smile broadly and radiantly, expressing great happiness or satisfaction

grin (vi.) – to smile widely, often showing teeth, indicating amusement or pleasure

🌱 Derivatives

frowning (adj.) – having a facial expression that shows displeasure or concentration

frowningly (adv.) – in a manner that shows displeasure or disapproval, typically with a frown

unfrowned (adj.) – not frowned upon; considered acceptable

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'frown' first appeared in Middle English around the 14th century, from Old French 'frognier'. It originally described wrinkling the nose in displeasure, later shifting to the entire face expression. In modern culture, frowning is universally recognized as a sign of disapproval or concentration.