What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
frown
Example
She frowned at the news of the canceled flight. [frowned: verb]
Example
He had a deep frown on his face as he considered the problem. [frown: noun]
scowl
Example
The teacher scowled at the students for talking during the lecture. [scowled: verb]
Example
He gave her a scowl when she suggested he was lying. [scowl: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Frown is more commonly used than scowl in everyday language. Frown is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scowl is more specific and often used in negative situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between frown and scowl?
While frown is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, scowl is more formal and often used in serious or negative situations.