dour

adjective

ˈdau̇(-ə)r  ˈdu̇r 

1

: stern, harsh

a dour expression on her face

2

: obstinate, unyielding

an insistent hunger for learning and a dour … determination to achieve it

—Walter Moberly

3

: gloomy, sullen

a dour disposition

dourly adverb

dourness noun

Synonyms

• austere
• fierce
• flinty
• forbidding
• grim
• gruff
• intimidating
• lowering
• louring
• rough
• rugged
• severe
• stark
• steely
• stern
• ungentle

Examples of dour in a Sentence

She had a dour expression on her face.

the dour mood of the crowd

Recent Examples on the Web

Sauer’s optimism seems almost to be intended as a rebuke to the dour ideal of intellectual seriousness that runs from such canonical thinkers as Arthur Schopenhauer in the nineteenth century to Theodor Adorno in the twentieth. —Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

Of the nearly 6 in 10 concerned about starting their careers, most (63%) cite stiff competition for jobs as their reason for their dour outlook. —Christine Y. Cruzvergara, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Despite the dour setting, just seeing one of the many film versions or reading the story again evokes feelings of warmth, generosity and Christmas cheer. —Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024

This is also the main theme of the new Paramount+ drama The Agency, which has an all-star cast, but also confusing plotting and an almost oppressively dour tone. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dour

adjective

ˈdu̇(ə)r  ˈdau̇(ə)r 

: looking or being stern or sullen

dourly adverb

dourness noun