frown meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

frown

noun

US, UK /ˈfɹaʊ̯n/ · /ˈfɹæʊ̯n/

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

A wrinkling of the forehead with the eyebrows brought together, typically indicating displeasure, severity, or concentration.

Philip had once told him of a man who had a horse-shoe frown, and Tom had tried with all his frowning-might to make a horse-shoe on his forehead1860, George Eliot, “V: Maggie's Second Visit”, in The Mill on the Floss, Volume I Book II, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood, page 336‑337:
He encounters some obstacle in his train of reasoning ... and then a frown passes like a shadow over his brow.1873, Charles Darwin, The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, page 223:

Canada, US A downturn of the corners of the mouth, typically expressing sadness.

The smile and the frown are both indicated and the operation of a motor driven flasher causes the face to look happy and sad in turn.1911 December 23, “Facial Expression Electric Sign”, in Popular Electricity, volume iv, number 8, Chicago, page 714:

Any facial expression that indicates disapproval or displeasure.

Derived terms: frownful, frownless, frownsome, frowny, permafrown, turn the frown upside down

frown

verb

Etymology

From Middle English frounen (“to frown as an expression of disapproval, displeasure, shame, fear, or jealousy”), from Old French froignier, froingnier, frognier (“to wrinkle the mouth or forehead, frown, scowl”), of uncertain and disputed origin. Perhaps from Medieval Latin fruncāre (“to wrinkle, crease, turn up one's nose, make a face, frown”) (compare Old High German fruncetura (“wrinkle”), via Latin), from Frankish *hrunkwittjā (“wrinkle”)/*hrunkwōn (“to wrinkle”), whence Old High German runza (“wrinkle”). See also French froncer (“to frown, scowl”). Alternatively, perhaps from Gaulish *frognā (“nostril”), from Proto-Celtic *srognā (“nose”). Still yet, perhaps of North Germanic origin, related to Swedish fryna (“to frown, frown with one's nose, make a wry face”), Norwegian frøyna (“to wrinkle up one's nose, make a wry face; snort”). Compare also dialectal English frine (“to frown, whine, complain”).

To have a frown on one's face.

She frowned when I told her the news.

Figuratively To manifest displeasure or disapprobation; to look with disfavour or threateningly.

Noisy gossip in the library is frowned upon.
The sky doth frown and lower upon our army.c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii]:

To repress or repel by expressing displeasure or disapproval; to rebuke with a look.

Let us frown the impudent fellow into silence.

To communicate by frowning.

Frank frowned his displeasure with my proposal.
Copling glanced at the heading and signature, then read the contents and frowned annoyance.1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC:

1 more example

As the band paused between songs, a gust of wind blew a distinctive Worthy Farm odour in the direction of drummer/vocalist Julien Ehrich: “Wow,” he frowned, “this place smells of cow shit.”2017 June 26, Alexis Petridis, “Glastonbury 2017 verdict: Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Lorde, Stormzy and more”, in the Guardian:

Synonyms: scowl
Derived terms: afrown, frown at, frowner, frown on, frown upon, outfrown

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