Skip to main content

countenancea person's face or facial expression

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a person's face or facial expression

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkaʊntənəns/

Example Sentences

  • The teacher's fierce countenance made even the troublemakers sit quietly.
  • I cannot countenance eating pizza with a fork and knife!
  • Her countenance fell when she realized she had forgotten her wallet.

countenance

NOUN

[/ˈkaʊntənəns/]

a person's face or facial expression

Her stern countenance silenced the entire courtroom in seconds.
💡 Concept

Her stern countenance silenced the entire courtroom in seconds.

His countenance shows penance while others find peace in maintenance!
🎵 Rhyme

His countenance shows penance while others find peace in maintenance!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈkaʊntənəns/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈkaʊntənəns/

🌳Etymology

Rootcontin
Suffix--ance

Origin

From Old French 'contenance' meaning behavior or demeanor, which came from Latin 'continentia' meaning self-restraint or conduct. The meaning gradually shifted from 'manner of behaving' to 'facial expression' over time.

Breakdown

From Latin 'continere' (to hold together, restrain) + '-entia' (noun suffix indicating a state or quality)

🎵Rhyme

maintenanceenancepenance
maintenance
enance
penance

🔗Collocations

cheerful countenance
stern countenance
countenance violence
maintain one's countenance
pleasant countenance
cannot countenance

📝Examples

The teacher's fierce countenance made even the troublemakers sit quietly.

😄 Fun example

I cannot countenance eating pizza with a fork and knife!

Her countenance fell when she realized she had forgotten her wallet.

The king's noble countenance inspired confidence in his subjects.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

expressionvisagedemeanoraspectappearance

Antonyms

disapproverejectcondemn

Related

facialexpressionapprovetoleratecomposure

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.