What does lourie mean?
A lourie is a noun denoting a look or glance, especially one made furtively or with suspicion. It is associated especially with Scottish and northern English usage, although the word is now uncommon in ordinary contemporary English and may appear in dialect writing, historical texts, or works aiming for a regional voice. In a sentence, it often describes the manner of looking rather than simply the act: a person can cast a suspicious lourie at someone, take a furtive lourie at a document, or have a lourie in one’s eye. The word has a somewhat old-fashioned and regional flavour, so modern speakers will usually choose glance, look, peek, or glare according to the intended meaning. Its value lies in conveying both the act of looking and the wary, secretive quality of that look in a single compact noun.
nounA look or glance, especially one that is suspicious, searching, or furtive.
- A glance or look, especially a furtive or suspicious one.
"She cast a lourie at him across the room."
"He took a lourie at the letter."
"There was a lourie in her eye as she waited for his answer."
Used in the sense of looks or glances; chiefly Scottish and northern English.
"He exchanged several suspicious houres with the man across the counter."
A “lourie” is a distinctly Scottish word for a look—and it carries the sense of scrutiny or furtiveness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lourie come from?
The word comes from Scottish and northern English dialect, where it developed from the older verb “lour,” meaning to look or to look sullenly or suspiciously. That verb is related in origin to Middle English forms associated with lowering the eyes or regarding something closely. The later noun “lourie” developed by adding the usual word-forming suffix -ie and became especially associated with Scots usage.
How lourie is actually used
The term is chiefly Scottish and northern English and is now uncommon outside dialect literature or deliberately archaic writing.
Easily confused with lourie
“Lourie” is a noun meaning a look or glance, whereas “lower” is commonly a verb meaning to move down or reduce.