dour

"Dour" is an adjective with a strong, distinctive personality — it paints a picture of someone or something that is grim, stern, and not at all cheerful. It has two closely related senses that are worth knowing.

1adjectivestern and unfriendly

When you describe a person as dour, you mean they look or act very serious, cold, and hard to approach. They rarely smile, they don't make small talk, and they give off a 'don't bother me' kind of energy. Think of a strict, stone-faced guard who never cracks a smile — that's a dour person.

everyday language · Modern, but more common in literary or formal writing

The dour librarian gave us a sharp look every time we whispered.

He had a dour expression on his face throughout the entire meeting.

She was known as a dour woman who never laughed at anyone's jokes.

2adjectivefigurativegloomy and bleak

Dour can also describe a situation, place, or atmosphere that feels heavy, depressing, and without any warmth or hope. It's not just about a person — a dour landscape, for example, is one that looks grey, cold, and unwelcoming.

everyday language, literature · Modern, widely used · figurative

The film had a dour tone that left the audience feeling unsettled.

They walked through the dour, fog-covered streets of the old city.

The economic news painted a dour picture of the country's future.