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

• gruff
• grim
• stern
• fierce
• rugged
• bleak
• intimidating
• hostile
• forbidding

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

CEOs have increasingly shared their dour prognostication of AI’s impact on the future of work and the latest diagnosis came from Jim Farley, the CEO of automaker Ford. —John Kell, Fortune, 9 July 2025

The vote against Trump is not going to be the salve that cures her dour numbers. —Philip Elliott, Time, 9 July 2025

Throughout the prosecution's four-hour summation, Combs kept his head bowed, sometimes scribbling notes to his lawyers and occasionally turning to the jury with a dour look. —Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 3 July 2025

Given the provenance of the materials and the dour aesthetic, some critics have argued the style is something of a recession indicator. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 23 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dour

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• safflower
• sunflower
• wallflower
• watchtower

Kids Definition

dour

adjective

ˈdu̇(ə)r  ˈdau̇(ə)r 

: looking or being stern or sullen

dourly adverb

dourness noun