# countenance

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkaʊn.tə.nəns/ · frequency rank #32,333

## Definitions
1. Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.
2. Favour; support; encouragement.
3. Superficial appearance; show; pretense.
4. Calm facial expression, composure, self-control.

## Etymology
From Middle English contenaunce, countenaunce, from Anglo-Norman countenance and Old French contenance, from the present participle of contenir, or from Late Latin continentia, and therefore a doublet of continence.

## Common misspellings (17)
`ccountenance`, `conutenance`, `counetnance`, `counntenance`, `counteannce`, `countenacne`, `countenancce`, `countenanec`, `countenannce`, `countenence`, `countennace`, `countennance`, `countneance`, `counttenance`, `coutnenance`, `cuontenance`, `ocuntenance`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/countenance