# frown

> English word · Noun · IPA /fɹaʊn/ · frequency rank #20,641

## Definitions
1. A wrinkling of the forehead with the eyebrows brought together, typically indicating displeasure, severity, or concentration.
2. A downturn of the corners of the mouth, typically expressing sadness.
3. Any facial expression that indicates disapproval or displeasure.

## Etymology
From Middle English frown, froun (“a threatening appearance; lowering of the clouds”), from frounen (“to frown”). See below.

## Easily confused with
- **froze** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/frown-vs-froze)
- **frozen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/frown-vs-frozen)
- **frowns** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/frown-vs-frowns)
- **frowned** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/frown-vs-frowned)
- **fro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fro-vs-frown)
- **from** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/from-vs-frown)
- **flow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/flow-vs-frown)
- **frog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/frog-vs-frown)
- **Fran** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fran-vs-frown)
- **fawn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fawn-vs-frown)
- **fowl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fowl-vs-frown)
- **front** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/front-vs-frown)
- **flows** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/flows-vs-frown)
- **frost** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/frost-vs-frown)
- **flown** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/flown-vs-frown)
- **frock** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/frock-vs-frown)
- **froth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/froth-vs-frown)
- **Fromm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fromm-vs-frown)
- **Frome** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/frome-vs-frown)

## Common misspellings (8)
`ffrown`, `forwn`, `fronw`, `frownn`, `frowwn`, `frrown`, `frwon`, `rfown`

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