dour
Stern, harsh and forbiddingStern, harsh and forbidding.
» Tom's dour silence said more than any words could.
Meaning
3 sensesStern, harsh and forbidding.
mürrisch, rau, verdrießlich
стро́гийstrógij, суро́выйsuróvyj
суворийsuvoryj, строгийstrohyj
Unyielding and obstinate.
unnachgiebig, halsstarrig, starrköpfig
непрекло́нныйnepreklónnyj
stubbornly unyielding
Expressing gloom or melancholy.
düster, dumpf, trist
мра́чныйmráčnyj
понурийponuryj, похмурийpoxmuryj
Examples
6 sentencesTom's dour silence said more than any words could.
The guard's dour expression made visitors hesitate to approach him.
The teacher's dour demeanor kept the students quiet throughout the class.
She gave us a dour look when we suggested that she apologize.
ruОна наградила нас суровым взглядом, когда мы предложили ей извиниться.
He's always been a dour twat with a face like a cat's arse.
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 2
By meaning 3
By meaning 3
Origin
Borrowed from Scots dour, possibly from Latin dūrus (“hard, stern”), via Middle Irish dúr.Borrowed from Scots dour, possibly from Latin dūrus (“hard, stern”), via Middle Irish dúr.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
dourer/more dour, dourest/most dourSynonyms
22 synonyms- harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance:forbiddinggrim
- showing a brooding ill humor:darkgloweringglummoodymorosesaturninesoursullen
- stubbornly unyielding:doggedpersistentpertinacioustenaciousunyielding
Word family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A2Comparatives — Because it has a comparative form
- A2Superlatives — Because it has a superlative form