dour Definition
- 1relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance
- 2having a very serious and unfriendly quality
Using dour: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dour" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He had a dour expression on his face.
Example
The weather was cold and dour.
Example
She gave me a dour look when I asked her to help me.
Example
The dour atmosphere of the office made it difficult to work.
dour Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for dour
Antonyms for dour
Idioms Using dour
Example
He looked at me with a dour face and refused to answer my question.
dour and unyielding
refusing to change one's opinion or position, even when faced with opposition or difficulty
Example
The politician was known for his dour and unyielding stance on immigration reform.
Example
After his wife died, he lived a dour existence, rarely leaving the house or socializing with others.
Phrases with dour
Example
He was in a dour mood after receiving the bad news.
Example
The economist had a dour outlook on the country's economic prospects.
a person who is unfriendly, unapproachable, and difficult to get along with
Example
His dour personality made it hard for him to make friends.
Origins of dour
from Scottish Gaelic 'dúr', meaning 'hard'
Summary: dour in Brief
'Dour' [dʊə(r)] describes a person, manner, or appearance that is relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy. It can refer to an unfriendly or unapproachable personality, as in 'His dour personality made it hard for him to make friends.' The term also extends into phrases like 'dour mood,' and idioms like 'a dour face,' denoting a severe or unfriendly facial expression.
