dour

USAGE SUMMARY

'dour' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as an adjective to describe something or someone as having a very serious, stern, or unyielding disposition or outlook. For example, "The general's dour expression on the battlefield made it clear that victory was the only acceptable outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fun is fun, and please don't try and stop people having fun, things are dour enough as it is".

The Guardian

In the 1950s, the rather dour period of British pictures, Harris, while under contract to J Arthur Rank, enlivened and brought style to many a production.

The Guardian - Film

The opening overs have been dour with Mitchell and Pardoe digging in againstPalladino and Groenewald.

The Guardian - Sport

But her show wasn't dour for a second.

The Guardian

Harris steered clear from commenting on Australia coach Darren Lehmann's claim on British radio that England were a "dour side".

The Guardian - Sport

And the "dour" expression that delights my heart for its honesty.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile Nadia Kamil's debut Edinburgh, Wide Open Beavers, was did extremely well across the road in Stand 4. The show's title, Kamil claimed, was meant to distract people from the dour topic.

The Guardian

They were partially inspired by the similarly dour literary work of the Angry Young Men.

The Guardian - Film

At the equivalent point in his career, Hayden was in exile from the Test team, having ground out a solitary, dour Test century at the Adelaide Oval in 1997, and was remaking his name as a patient accumulator in the Chris Rogers mould for Queensland.

The Guardian - Sport

Elsewhere, unbeaten Granada drew 0-0 with Villarreal in a dour encounter.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The former Fermanagh/South Tyrone MP – now Lord Maginnis – was a far cry from the stereotypical image of the dour-sounding, sour-faced, bowler-hat-wearing caricature unionism often conjured up in the media.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's character, use "dour" to suggest a stern or unyielding nature, avoiding overly dramatic or exaggerated terms.

Common error

Avoid using "dour" interchangeably with adjectives like "depressed" or "miserable". "Dour" implies a habitual sternness or gloom, not necessarily a state of acute unhappiness.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "dour" primarily functions as a descriptive term, modifying nouns to indicate a stern, harsh, or forbidding quality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as demonstrated in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dour" is a versatile adjective effectively used to describe a stern, gloomy, or unyielding disposition or atmosphere. It commonly appears in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. Ludwig AI confirms this and the sources provided show the multiple applications of this adjective. While it's generally considered grammatically correct and commonly used, avoid confusing it with other negative adjectives that describe temporary states of unhappiness. Employing "dour" with precision will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stern

Emphasizes the severity and strictness in appearance or manner.

gloomy

Focuses on the expression of sadness and pessimism.

morose

Highlights a sullen and ill-tempered mood.

sullen

Indicates a silent resentment or unwillingness to be cooperative.

grim

Conveys a sense of forbidding or uninviting atmosphere.

forbidding

Stresses the repelling or discouraging nature of someone or something.

saturnine

Suggests a gloomy or taciturn disposition.

severe

Highlights the strictness and lack of leniency.

austere

Emphasizes simplicity and a lack of ornamentation or comfort.

somber

Implies a grave or depressing character.

FAQs

How to use "dour" in a sentence?

You can use "dour" to describe a person's expression (e.g., "a dour face"), their personality (e.g., "a dour individual"), or an atmosphere (e.g., "a dour landscape").

What can I say instead of "dour"?

You can use alternatives like "stern", "gloomy", or "morose" depending on the context.

Is "dour" a positive or negative word?

"Dour" is generally a negative word, implying a stern, gloomy, or unyielding disposition.

What's the difference between "dour" and "melancholy"?

"Dour" suggests a habitual sternness or gloom in expression or manner, while "melancholy" implies a more contemplative sadness. You might describe someone as both "dour" and "melancholy", but they emphasize different aspects of their character.