Join Us On

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Spanish Central

Browse Dictionary Browse Thesaurus

Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android

Word of the Day

Blog: Words at Play

Dictionary

dour

adjective \ˈdu̇r, ˈdau̇(-ə)r\

: serious and unfriendly : silent and gloomy

Full Definition of DOUR

1

: stern, harsh

2

: obstinate, unyielding

3

: gloomy, sullen

— dour·ly adverb

— dour·ness noun

See dour defined for English-language learners

See dour defined for kids

ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of DOUR

Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DOUR

Synonyms: austere, grim, fierce, flinty, forbidding, gruff, intimidating, lowering (also louring), rough, rugged, severe, stark, steely, stern, ungentle

Antonyms: benign, benignant, gentle, mild, nonintimidating, tender

DOURLY Defined for Kids

dour

adjective \ˈdau̇r, ˈdu̇r\

Definition of DOUR for Kids

: looking or being serious and unfriendly <a dour old man> <a dour expression>

Learn More About DOUR

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "dour"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "dour"

Nglish: Translation of "dour" for Spanish speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: douraPrevious Word in the Dictionary: douppioniAll Words Near: dour

ADVERTISEMENT

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up dour? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Join Us

Merriam-Webster
on Facebook

Merriam-Webster
on Twitter

Bookstore: Digital and Print

Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.

See All

Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries

© Merriam-Webster, Incorporated