scowl

1 of 2

verb

ˈskau̇(-ə)l 

scowled; scowling; scowls

intransitive verb

1

: to contract the brow in an expression of displeasure

2

: to exhibit a threatening aspect

transitive verb

: to express with a scowl

scowler noun

scowlingly

ˈskau̇-liŋ-lē 

adverb

scowl

2 of 2

noun

: a facial expression of displeasure : frown

Synonyms

Verb

• frown
• glare
• gloom
• glower
• lower
• lour

Noun

• face
• frown
• grimace
• lower
• lour
• moue
• mouth
• mow
• mug
• pout
• snoot

Examples of scowl in a Sentence

Verb

scowled down at the misbehaving child

Noun

The teacher gave me a scowl when I walked in late.

She responded to his question with a scowl.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Does slapping Pattinson’s scowling face on the phenomenon lead us to see it any differently? —Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025

In a moment that went viral, Ferrell, 57, dressed up as his lovable, innocent character from the 2003 holiday classic Elf — and watched the Los Angeles Kings play the Philadelphia Flyers while scowling, drinking beer and holding a cigarette. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025

Noun

What Aimee Lou Wood conveys with an energetic smile and exclamation, Walton Goggins portrays with a scowl and an expletive. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2025

Serve up in a stemmed glass, and garnish with a scowl, or perhaps a war story. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English skoulen, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish skule to scowl

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1520, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scowl

• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• jowl
• owl
• prowl
• afoul
• wildfowl
• waterfowl

Kids Definition

scowl

1 of 2 verb

ˈskau̇(ə)l 

1

: to make a frowning expression of displeasure

2

: to exhibit or express with a scowl

scowler noun

scowlingly

ˈskau̇-liŋ-lē 

adverb

scowl

2 of 2 noun

: an expression of displeasure on the face : frown