countenance
Countenance (noun) means a person's face or facial expression, especially as it reveals their mood. Example: “His calm countenance gave away nothing about the bad news he carried.”
How to use countenance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone's facial expression — or, as a verb, to approve of or allow something.
Fairly formal or literary in both senses; rarely used in casual speech.
Word forms
countenanced past tense, countenances plural, countenances singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His calm _____ gave away nothing about the bad news he carried.
Etymology
From Old French contenance, ultimately related to Latin continentia — a distant relative of "continence."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for countenance
See all rhymes for countenance →Frequently asked questions
What does “countenance” mean?
The word “countenance” means a person's face or facial expression, especially as it reveals their mood. In plain terms, someone's facial expression — or, as a verb, to approve of or allow something.
How do you pronounce “countenance”?
“Countenance” is pronounced KOWN-tuh-nuhns (/ˈkaʊn.tə.nəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “countenance” in a sentence?
Here is “countenance” used in a sentence: “His calm countenance gave away nothing about the bad news he carried.”
What is another word for “countenance”?
Words with a similar meaning to “countenance” include boat, complexion, chevy chase, dial, ecaf and George Best.
What part of speech is “countenance”?
Depending on how it is used, “countenance” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “countenance” come from?
The word “countenance” comes from Latin. From Old French contenance, ultimately related to Latin continentia — a distant relative of "continence.".
How many meanings does “countenance” have?
“Countenance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's face or facial expression, especially as it reveals their mood.