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Lour: meaning, definitions and examples

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lour

 

[ lɔːr ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

showing displeasure

To lour means to appear sullen or to be in a bad mood, often signified by a frown or scowl. It can describe both a person's facial expression and an ominous weather condition, such as dark, threatening clouds that signal an impending storm. In both senses, it conveys a sense of heaviness or gloom that seems imminent.

Synonyms

frown, glower, scowl

Examples of usage

  • She loured at him, clearly upset by the comment.
  • The sky began to lour, warning us of the coming rain.
  • He wasn't one to lour for long, quickly bouncing back to his cheerful self.

Translations

Translations of the word "lour" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cair

🇮🇳 गंभीरता

🇩🇪 schauen

🇮🇩 melihat

🇺🇦 похмурити

🇵🇱 spojrzenie

🇯🇵 見る

🇫🇷 regarder

🇪🇸 mirar

🇹🇷 bakmak

🇰🇷 주목하다

🇸🇦 يلاحظ

🇨🇿 dívat se

🇸🇰 pozerať

🇨🇳 看

🇸🇮 gledati

🇮🇸 líta

🇰🇿 қарау

🇬🇪 მოსმენა

🇦🇿 baxmaq

🇲🇽 mirar

Etymology

The word 'lour' has its origins in Middle English, deriving from the word 'luren', which means 'to threaten' or 'to frown'. This in turn comes from the Old English 'lurian', also meaning 'to lurk' or 'to be threatening'. The evolution of the word reflects a broader linguistic trend where expressions of gloom or displeasure take on a physical manifestation, especially in weather or human demeanor. The use of 'lour' to describe ominous clouds is particularly significant, as it indicates the interconnectedness of human emotions and natural phenomena in language. As English evolved, 'lour' maintained a niche but poignant presence, particularly in literary contexts where mood and atmosphere are carefully crafted. It is less commonly used in modern vernacular but can still be found in poetry and descriptive writing.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,375, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.