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scowl - 6 dictionary results

scowl

  [skoul]
Use scowl in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to draw down or contract the brows in a sullen, displeased, or angry manner.
2. to have a gloomy or threatening look.
–verb (used with object)
3. to affect or express with a scowl.
–noun
4. a scowling expression, look, or aspect.
Origin:
1300–50; ME scoulen (v.); perh. < Scand; cf. Dan skule to scowl, Norw skule to look furtively, though these may be < LG schūlen to spy

Related forms:
scowler, noun
scowlful, adjective
scowl⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. frown, lower, glare. 2. glower, gloom.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To scowl
scowl   (skoul)   
v.   scowled, scowl·ing, scowls

v.   intr.
To wrinkle or contract the brow as an expression of anger or disapproval. See Synonyms at frown.
v.   tr.
To express with a frowning facial expression.
n.  A look of anger or frowning disapproval.

[Middle English scoulen, probably of Scandinavian origin.]
scowl'er n., scowl'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Scowl

Scowl\ (skoul), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scowled (skould); p. pr. & vb. n. Scowling.] [Akin to Dan. skule; cf. Icel. skolla to skulk, LG. schulen to hide one's self, D. schuilen, G. schielen to squint, Dan. skele, Sw. skela, AS. sceolh squinting. Cf. Skulk.]

1. To wrinkle the brows, as in frowning or displeasure; to put on a frowning look; to look sour, sullen, severe, or angry.

She scowled and frowned with froward countenance. --Spenser.

2. Hence, to look gloomy, dark, or threatening; to lower. "The scowling heavens." --Thomson.

Scowl

Scowl\, v. t. 1. To look at or repel with a scowl or a frown. --Milton.

2. To express by a scowl; as, to scowl defiance.

Scowl

Scowl\, n. 1. The wrinkling of the brows or face in frowing; the expression of displeasure, sullenness, or discontent in the countenance; an angry frown.

With solemn phiz, and critic scowl. --Lloyd.

2. Hence, gloom; dark or threatening aspect. --Burns.

A ruddy storm, whose scowl Made heaven's radiant face look foul. --Crashaw.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : scowl
Spanish: fruncir el ceño, *entrecejo,
German: finster blicken,
Japanese: 顔をしかめる
More Translations »

scowl  (v.)
1340, from a Scand. source (cf. Norw. skule "look furtively, squint, look embarrassed," Dan. skule "to scowl"). Probably related to O.E. sceolh "wry, oblique," O.H.G. scelah "curved," Ger. scheel "squint-eyed;" from PIE base *sqel- "crooked, curved, bent." The noun is attested from 1500.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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