1
: stern, harsh
a dour expression on her face
2
: obstinate, unyielding
an insistent hunger for learning and a dour … determination to achieve itWalter Moberly
3
: gloomy, sullen
a dour disposition
dourly adverb
dourness noun

Examples of dour in a Sentence

She had a dour expression on her face. the dour mood of the crowd
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The combo looks smart and professional, but the colors are a little on the dour side, at least by Kornacki standards. Jen Chaney, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024 For as bleak as some of the material reads as poetry, however, the performances never felt dour. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024 Amid a glut of dour, depressed series with Serious Things to Say, a show that carries itself so lightly is absolutely welcome. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2024 This suggests that excessive love and the act of love bombing might indeed have a dour side. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dour 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dour was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dour

Cite this Entry

“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dour. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

dour

adjective
: looking or being stern or sullen
dourly adverb
dourness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dour

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!