What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
frowning
Example
She was frowning at the news on the TV. [frowning: verb]
Example
He had a frowning expression on his face when he heard the bad news. [frowning: adjective]
grimacing
Example
She was grimacing in pain after she fell down. [grimacing: verb]
Example
He made a grimacing face when he tasted the bitter medicine. [grimacing: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Frowning is more commonly used than grimacing in everyday language. Frowning is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while grimacing is less common and refers to a more specific type of facial expression.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between frowning and grimacing?
While frowning is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, grimacing is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language.