Dour Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
ð
dour
[dĘÉr ]
Definitions
serious
Relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| dour |
Used to describe someone who is stern, serious, and often unfriendly. Typically, they show little or no humor.
|
| grim |
Used to describe situations or expressions that are severe, bleak, or even frightening. It implies a sense of hopelessness or seriousness.
|
| sullen |
Used to describe someone who is gloomy, silent, and bad-tempered. This word often carries a negative connotation.
|
| morose |
Typically used to describe a person's mood or behavior when they are deeply unhappy, sullen, and unwilling to talk.
|
| gloomy |
Can describe both a person's mood and the atmosphere of a place. Typically used for situations that are dark, depressing, or sad.
|
Examples of usage
- The dour expression on his face never seemed to change.
- She gave him a dour look that made him feel uncomfortable.
- The dour weather matched his mood perfectly.
Scottish
A Scottish term for a feeling of ill humor or sullenness.
Synonyms
gloom, melancholy, sullenness.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| dour |
Describing a person who is stern, unfriendly, or gloomy in appearance or manner. Often used for someone who is serious and tough, and does not show much emotion.
|
| sullenness |
Describing a person who is silently showing irritation or a bad mood. This word usually implies sulking or being in a grumpy state.
|
| gloom |
Referring to a state of darkness, sadness, or depression. Not specific to people, it can also be used to describe an atmosphere, weather, or environment.
|
| melancholy |
Describing a deep, persistent sadness or a feeling of thoughtful sadness. It often carries a poetic or reflective connotation.
|
Examples of usage
- He was in a dour after losing the game.
- The dour in the room was palpable.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- Authors like Charles Dickens often used dour characters to symbolize gloom, reflecting broader societal challenges in the Victorian era.
- The term may appear in dark or serious poetry to contrast with lighter elements, enhancing thematic depth.
- Dour characters often serve as foils to more cheerful figures, highlighting the struggle between optimism and pessimism.
Psychology
- Individuals often perceive a dour demeanor as a lack of approachability, impacting social interactions.
- Seriousness can sometimes be a defense mechanism, where individuals may feel vulnerable regarding their emotions.
- Psychological studies indicate that facial expressions can greatly influence the interpretation of someone's personality.
Pop Culture
- In film and television, dour characters often serve as comedic relief when contrasted with more jovial counterparts.
- Classic figures such as the 'grumpy old man' trope tap into the idea of the dour personality for both humor and depth.
- The term frequently appears in critiques of music and art, describing works that invoke a serious or dark tone.
Origin of 'dour'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Middle English 'dour' or 'dur', which originated from the Old French term 'dour', meaning 'hard' or 'stern'.
- Related words in other languages have similar meanings, indicating a longstanding concept of seriousness across cultures.
- The shift in usage reflects changes in how society views expressions of emotion, especially in respect to masculinity.
The word 'dour' originated from the Middle English word 'dure', meaning 'severe', 'stern', or 'hard'. Over time, it came to be associated with a serious and gloomy demeanor. The Scottish use of 'dour' to describe ill humor or sullenness reflects its enduring presence in the language.