scowl — to look at someone or something with an angry or threatening expression
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to look at someone or something with an angry or threatening expression
Pronunciation (IPA): /skaʊl/
Example Sentences
- The teacher's scowl was so intense that even the class clown stopped joking
- He scowled at his alarm clock as if it had personally offended him
- Don't scowl at me just because you forgot your homework
scowl
VERB[/skaʊl/]
to look at someone or something with an angry or threatening expression

The grumpy baker shoots a fierce scowl at the kid who knocked over the flour.

The owl will scowl as the fox begins to prowl
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Scowl derives from Middle English 'scoulen', influenced by Scandinavian languages, particularly Danish 'skule' (to hide, lurk). The word evolved to denote a dark, threatening facial expression, likely developing from the association between hiding or lurking in shadows and the appearance of an angry or sullen face.
Breakdown
The word evolved from Middle English 'scoulen' with Scandinavian roots (Danish 'skule' meaning to hide or lurk), with the suffix '-en' dropping in Modern English to produce 'scowl', a verb and noun describing a furrowed, menacing facial expression.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher's scowl was so intense that even the class clown stopped joking”
“He scowled at his alarm clock as if it had personally offended him”
“Don't scowl at me just because you forgot your homework”
“Her permanent scowl made people think she was always angry, but she was just concentrating”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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