Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Countenance Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜Š
Add to dictionary

countenance

[หˆkaสŠnt(ษ™)nษ™ns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

facial expression

Countenance refers to a person's facial expression or the overall appearance of someone's face. It can convey emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise.

Synonyms

expression, facial expression, look.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
countenance

This word is more formal and is often used in literary or historical contexts. It refers to a person's facial expression or visage.

  • His calm countenance concealed his true feelings.
  • The monarch's serene countenance remained unchanged in the face of adversity.
facial expression

This term is often used in more descriptive or technical contexts, such as psychology, art, or acting, to describe the use of the face to convey emotions.

  • The actor's facial expressions were incredibly convincing.
  • She studied his facial expressions to understand how he was feeling.
look

This is the most casual and widely used term. It can describe a person's facial expression but can also refer to their overall appearance or style.

  • He gave her a strange look when she mentioned the incident.
  • She has a unique look that makes her stand out from the crowd.
expression

This word is commonly used in everyday situations to describe the look on someone's face that shows their feelings or thoughts.

  • She had a puzzled expression on her face.
  • His expression changed from happiness to anger.

Examples of usage

  • Her countenance showed a mix of excitement and nervousness before the big presentation.
  • Despite his tough countenance, he was actually a very kind-hearted person.
Context #2 | Verb

support or approve

When used as a verb, countenance means to support, approve, or tolerate something. It implies giving permission or showing acceptance towards a particular action or idea.

Synonyms

approve, support, tolerate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
countenance

Use in formal or literary contexts to mean giving approval or acceptance, often reluctantly.

  • The school does not countenance cheating in any form.
  • He refused to countenance her decision to leave the company.
support

Use when expressing active help or encouragement for someone or something.

  • We need volunteers to support our charity event.
  • He always supports his friends in difficult times.
approve

Use in everyday situations where you accept or agree with something positively.

  • The committee approved the new budget proposal.
  • Her parents did not approve of her new boyfriend.
tolerate

Use when referring to accepting or enduring something unpleasant or disliked, often with a negative connotation.

  • She canโ€™t tolerate loud noises when sheโ€™s trying to work.
  • I refuse to tolerate such disrespectful behavior.

Examples of usage

  • The company cannot countenance any form of discrimination in the workplace.
  • The teacher will not countenance cheating on the exam.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Facial expressions communicate emotions faster than spoken words, making countenance critical for interpersonal connections.
  • Research indicates people can accurately guess a person's feelings based on just a glance at their countenance.

Literature

  • Writers often describe a character's countenance to convey mood or personality without needing lengthy explanations.
  • In Shakespearean plays, character countenance is frequently aligned with their fate, suggesting deeper themes of appearance vs. reality.

Art

  • Many famous portraits focus on a subject's countenance to evoke emotion and provoke thought in viewers.
  • Artists like Rembrandt used light and shadow to enhance the expression of countenance in their work, symbolizing inner life.

Cultural Significance

  • In some cultures, a calm and serene countenance is seen as a sign of wisdom or maturity, respected in various social contexts.
  • Some societies emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive countenance, as it's believed to attract good fortune.

Origin of 'countenance'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'contenant', meaning 'to hold', reflecting how a face can hold feelings.
  • It originally combined the Latin 'com-' meaning 'together' and 'tenere' meaning 'to hold', showing the connection between face and emotions.

The word 'countenance' originated from Middle English and Old French, ultimately derived from the Latin word 'contenere', meaning 'to hold together' or 'to contain'. Over time, it evolved to refer to the face or facial expression of a person. The concept of countenance has been an important aspect of human communication and expression throughout history.

See also: count, countable, counter, counting, countless, county, discount, encounter, recount, recounted, uncountable.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,547 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.