scowling

Thân thiện

The child is scowling at the broccoli on his plate.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a facial expression that shows anger, displeasure, or deep thought: The word "scowling" describes the appearance of someone whose face is contracted in a frown, with brows drawn together, often indicating a negative emotion or a stern, unfriendly demeanor.

Usage

• "Scowling" is used to describe a person's facial expression or overall appearance at a specific moment. It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like 'was').
• It emphasizes a temporary, visible expression rather than a permanent character trait, though it can contribute to an impression of someone being generally unfriendly.

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):

  • The scowling teacher made the students nervous. (The teacher had an angry, unfriendly expression.)
  • He walked past with a scowling face, ignoring everyone. (His face was set in a frown.)

• Predicative use (after a linking verb):

  • She was scowling at the broken computer screen. (Her face showed anger or frustration directed at the screen.)
  • The guard stood at the gate, scowling and intimidating. (The guard's appearance was unfriendly and stern.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be left scowling": to remain with an angry or displeased expression, often after an event.

  • After hearing the bad news, he was left scowling at the wall for an hour.

• Used to describe portraits or depictions:

  • The painting showed a scowling king, his displeasure clear for all to see.

Variants and Related Words

• Scowl (verb): To frown in an angry or bad-tempered way.

  • He tends to scowl when he's concentrating.

• Scowl (noun): An angry or bad-tempered expression.

  • She looked at him with a deep scowl.

• Scowlingly (adverb, rare): In a scowling manner.

  • He answered scowlingly, without making eye contact.

Synonyms

• Glowering: Looking angry or sullen.
• Frowning: Forming an expression of disapproval, displeasure, or concentration by drawing the eyebrows together.
• Grim-faced: Having a very serious, stern, or gloomy facial expression.

Antonyms

• Beaming: Smiling radiantly.
• Grinning: Smiling broadly.
• Smiling: Forming one's features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To have a permanent scowl: To often appear to be scowling, contributing to an unfriendly reputation.

  • The old sailor was known to have a permanent scowl, but he was kind at heart.

• A scowl that could curdle milk: An idiom emphasizing an extremely fierce or angry scowl.

  • She turned to him with a scowl that could curdle milk.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. sullen or unfriendly in appearance

Từ đồng nghĩa

• beetle-browed