What does scowl mean?
Scowl is a forceful English word for a grim, unsmiling look that communicates displeasure more vividly than simply saying someone is unhappy. As a verb, it describes looking at a person or thing with anger, suspicion, or disapproval, often with the eyebrows drawn together. As a noun, it names the resulting facial expression: a scowl can be deep, fierce, dark, or sullen. The word frequently appears in fiction and dialogue, where a single scowl can reveal tension, displeasure, suspicion, or authority without requiring explanation. Its emotional force makes it useful for depicting character and atmosphere, although it is generally more confrontational than a mild frown. Although commonly associated with visible reactions, the verb can also express figurative displeasure, as in a person who scowls at an idea or proposal. Scowl is used in standard British and American English and is readily understood in both.
To look at someone or something with an angry, threatening, suspicious, or disapproving expression.
"The guard scowled at us and refused to open the gate."
The verb can be transitive or intransitive and often appears in descriptions of tense or confrontational encounters.
An angry, displeased, or suspicious expression formed by frowning.
"He turned away with a scowl, clearly dissatisfied with the answer."
This is a countable noun; scowls is its standard plural.
The standard plural of the noun is scowls.
"The stern scowls of the judges filled the courtroom."
A scowl is a sentence written entirely with eyebrows.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scowl come from?
The verb is attested in English by the sixteenth century, and the noun developed from the action or appearance it describes. It is generally traced to Old Norse skúla, associated with looking askance or squinting; related forms are found in Scandinavian languages. English later developed the regular forms scowls, scowled, and scowling from this inherited verb.
Related word forms
How scowl is actually used
The verb is common in narrative and dialogue and can convey anger, suspicion, stern disapproval, or intense concentration. The noun usually denotes a visible expression rather than the act of looking.
Easily confused with scowl
A scowl is an angry or disapproving facial expression, whereas to scour is to clean or search something thoroughly.