a dour man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dour man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is stern, gloomy, or unfriendly in demeanor. Example: "Despite his impressive credentials, he was often perceived as a dour man, rarely smiling or engaging in light conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

His father, a doctor, was a dour man.

The New York Times - Books

A dour man respected for his mastery of numbers, Mr. Page had long been frustrated by myriad union timekeeping rules.

The New York Times

Rodgers was a dour man, yet capable of great wit and generosity.

The New York Times - Magazine

'My candidate is a dour man," the columnist Richard Cohen wrote in The Washington Post in April about his choice for president, Senator John F. Kerry.

The New York Times - Magazine

After all these years he remains a study in antithesis: a dour man who laughs all the time; a savvy man who marvels at the simplest little things.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Italians found his Facebook page and submitted into evidence a photograph of a dour man wearing a blue shirt and a silver chain with a large crucifix.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mr. Maliki, an outwardly dour man with a jowly face darkened by a perpetual shadow of a beard, makes a simple case for re-election.

The New York Times

Atta was a finicky, dour man whose chief attributes were obedience and a capacity for detail.

The New Yorker

Following her is an intense, dour man, pale as a scone, his eyes trained on her every action.

The New York Times

I liked him in the sense that he was sometimes a very dour man, single-minded.

BBC

I am late, but the others are even later, and I am met at the door by a tall, thin, dour man in his forties with a graying beard, who ushers me into the apartment with a resigned air and motions for me to sit on a sofa whose cushion is a tangle of colored yarns encased in a plastic cover.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character, use "a dour man" to quickly convey a sense of sternness, gloom, or lack of emotion. It's effective for establishing a specific mood or personality trait early in your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying on "a dour man" too frequently; vary your descriptions with synonyms or details about the character's behavior and expressions to create a more nuanced portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dour man" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It serves to characterize an individual, highlighting their stern or gloomy disposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and effectively used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dour man" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a man with a stern, gloomy, or unfriendly demeanor. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts for character descriptions and setting a specific mood. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and consider synonyms to add nuance. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of seriousness or lack of warmth, making it a valuable tool for concise characterization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a stern fellow

Replaces 'dour' with 'stern' and 'man' with 'fellow', emphasizing strictness.

a gloomy individual

Substitutes 'dour' with 'gloomy' and 'man' with 'individual', highlighting sadness.

a solemn gentleman

Replaces 'dour' with 'solemn' and 'man' with 'gentleman', focusing on seriousness and formality.

a grim person

Changes 'dour' to 'grim' and 'man' to 'person', underscoring a harsh or uninviting demeanor.

an austere figure

Replaces 'dour' with 'austere' and 'man' with 'figure', suggesting severity and lack of ornamentation.

a morose character

Substitutes 'dour' with 'morose' and 'man' with 'character', emphasizing sullenness.

an unsmiling sort

Replaces 'dour man' with a description of someone who doesn't smile, indicating unhappiness or seriousness.

a taciturn soul

Changes 'dour' to 'taciturn' and 'man' to 'soul', focusing on reserved communication and quietness.

a melancholy chap

Replaces 'dour' with 'melancholy' and 'man' with 'chap', highlighting a pensive sadness.

a cheerless bloke

Substitutes 'dour' with 'cheerless' and 'man' with 'bloke', indicating a lack of happiness or enthusiasm.

FAQs

What does "a dour man" mean?

The phrase "a dour man" describes a man who is stern, gloomy, or sullen. It suggests a person who is serious and perhaps unfriendly.

What are some synonyms for "a dour man"?

You can use alternatives like "a stern fellow", "a gloomy individual", or "a grim person" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to describe someone as "a dour man" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to describe someone's personality, though you may also consider "a solemn gentleman" or "an austere figure" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How can I use "a dour man" in a sentence?

You might say, "Despite his intelligence, he was known as "a dour man" who rarely smiled." or "The film portrayed him as "a dour man", burdened by the weight of his responsibilities."