Countenance
noun
The expression on a person's face.
Her countenance fell when she heard the bad news.
Usage tips
Formal
noun
Support or approval.
He gave his countenance to the plan.
Often appears as...
- give countenance to
- lend countenance
Usage tips
Formal, Approving
verb
To permit or tolerate.
I won't countenance such behavior in my house.
Often appears as...
- countenance behavior
- countenance action
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
The expression on a person's face.
Her countenance fell when she heard the bad news.
Usage tips
Formal
noun
Support or approval.
He gave his countenance to the plan.
Often appears as...
- give countenance to
- lend countenance
Usage tips
Formal, Approving
verb
To permit or tolerate.
I won't countenance such behavior in my house.
Often appears as...
- countenance behavior
- countenance action
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Facial Expressions
Indicates someone's feelings without words, often instinctive or unconscious.
His joyful countenance made the room feel welcoming.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-Verbal Clues
Reveals underlying emotions, even if a person's words suggest otherwise.
Her countenance belied her claim of being fine.
Pro Tip 3/3Swift Changes
Can quickly shift to reflect changing emotions in response to events.
His countenance changed from amused to stern as he read the note.
Pro Tip 1/3Facial Expressions
Indicates someone's feelings without words, often instinctive or unconscious.
His joyful countenance made the room feel welcoming.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-Verbal Clues
Reveals underlying emotions, even if a person's words suggest otherwise.
Her countenance belied her claim of being fine.
Pro Tip 3/3Swift Changes
Can quickly shift to reflect changing emotions in response to events.
His countenance changed from amused to stern as he read the note.
Pro Tip 1/3Facial Expressions
Indicates someone's feelings without words, often instinctive or unconscious.
His joyful countenance made the room feel welcoming.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-Verbal Clues
Reveals underlying emotions, even if a person's words suggest otherwise.
Her countenance belied her claim of being fine.
Pro Tip 3/3Swift Changes
Can quickly shift to reflect changing emotions in response to events.
His countenance changed from amused to stern as he read the note.
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Video examples
Can you guess what's...
an art conservator discovered that it was from that era— It had just undergone drastic changes in recent centuries. Using x-ray technology, they peered under the outer surface of paint and saw the countenance of a completely different woman. Essential parts of the painting had been modified
Video examples
Fossil Record Mystery PIPE...
that a cataclysmic meteor impact were volcano left few survivors with little competition and plenty of room to grow another says that his countenance drifted apart the climate became more favorable to plant life the resulting
Video examples
Woody Norris: Hypersonic...
I'm serious. And they have these infrared devices that can look at their countenance, and see a fraction of a degree Kelvin in temperature shift
Video examples
Can you guess what's...
an art conservator discovered that it was from that era— It had just undergone drastic changes in recent centuries. Using x-ray technology, they peered under the outer surface of paint and saw the countenance of a completely different woman. Essential parts of the painting had been modified
Video examples
Fossil Record Mystery PIPE...
that a cataclysmic meteor impact were volcano left few survivors with little competition and plenty of room to grow another says that his countenance drifted apart the climate became more favorable to plant life the resulting
Video examples
Woody Norris: Hypersonic...
I'm serious. And they have these infrared devices that can look at their countenance, and see a fraction of a degree Kelvin in temperature shift
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Benjamin Watson
American Athlete
One thing I struggled with early in my career was the delicate balance between my performance and my identity. When things on the field went well, I was cheerful and felt important. When things went poorly, my countenance and self-concept plummeted, and I was not pleasant to be around.
Quote examples
Tony Kushner
American Playwright
I feel there's a power in theatre, but it's an indirect power. It's like the relationship of the sleeper to the unconscious. You discover things you can't afford to countenance in waking life. You can forget them, remember them a day later or not have any idea what they are about.
Quote examples
L. Lionel Kendrick
American Clergyman
Our communications reflect in our countenance. Therefore, we must be careful not only what we communicate, but also how we do so. Souls can be strengthened or shattered by the message and the manner in which we communicate.
Quote examples
Giacomo Casanova
Italian Celebrity
I leave to others the decision as to the good or evil tendencies of my character, but such as it is it shines upon my countenance, and there it can easily be detected by any physiognomist.
Quote examples
W. H. Auden
English Poet
The countenances of children, like those of animals, are masks, not faces, for they have not yet developed a significant profile of their own.
Quote examples
Natalie Cole
American Musician
Physically, I've seen a change in my life. No, I haven't had a face lift or anything like that. I've grown. That's God's countenance.
Quote examples
Les Brown
American Speaker
Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make people feel comfortable around you.
Quote examples
Honore de Balzac
French Novelist
The habits of life form the soul, and the soul forms the countenance.
Quote examples
Charles Dickens
English Novelist
You don't carry in your countenance a letter of recommendation.
Quote examples
King Solomon
Royalty
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.
Quote examples
Benjamin Watson
American Athlete
One thing I struggled with early in my career was the delicate balance between my performance and my identity. When things on the field went well, I was cheerful and felt important. When things went poorly, my countenance and self-concept plummeted, and I was not pleasant to be around.
Quote examples
Tony Kushner
American Playwright
I feel there's a power in theatre, but it's an indirect power. It's like the relationship of the sleeper to the unconscious. You discover things you can't afford to countenance in waking life. You can forget them, remember them a day later or not have any idea what they are about.
Quote examples
L. Lionel Kendrick
American Clergyman
Our communications reflect in our countenance. Therefore, we must be careful not only what we communicate, but also how we do so. Souls can be strengthened or shattered by the message and the manner in which we communicate.
Quote examples
Giacomo Casanova
Italian Celebrity
I leave to others the decision as to the good or evil tendencies of my character, but such as it is it shines upon my countenance, and there it can easily be detected by any physiognomist.
Quote examples
W. H. Auden
English Poet
The countenances of children, like those of animals, are masks, not faces, for they have not yet developed a significant profile of their own.
Quote examples
Natalie Cole
American Musician
Physically, I've seen a change in my life. No, I haven't had a face lift or anything like that. I've grown. That's God's countenance.
Quote examples
Les Brown
American Speaker
Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make people feel comfortable around you.
Quote examples
Honore de Balzac
French Novelist
The habits of life form the soul, and the soul forms the countenance.
Quote examples
Charles Dickens
English Novelist
You don't carry in your countenance a letter of recommendation.
Quote examples
King Solomon
Royalty
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.
Example 1 of 10
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