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

• austere
• fierce
• flinty
• forbidding
• grim
• gruff
• intimidating
• lowering
• louring
• rough
• rugged
• severe
• stark
• steely
• stern
• ungentle

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

Gone were the slumped shoulders and dour countenance from the first two games, replaced by a bounce in Young’s step and a smile on his face. —Joseph Person, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025

This year, to some, has seemed more dour then last. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 24 Dec. 2024

Of note is scenic designer Christopher Scott Murillo’s dour physical environment successfully representing an office that would wear on even the most enthusiastic workaholic. —Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 8 Oct. 2024

Snyder's dour depiction of Superman sparked mixed reactions among critics and fans, and subsequent DC movies generally struggled to compete with Marvel at the box office. —Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dour

adjective

ˈdu̇(ə)r  ˈdau̇(ə)r 

: looking or being stern or sullen

dourly adverb

dourness noun