frowning face

USAGE SUMMARY

"frowning face" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's expression or mood. Example: When I told her I couldn't make it to the party, she gave me a frowning face and muttered, "That's too bad."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

The commenter ended the post with the symbol for a frowning face.

The New York Times

"The air is really, really horrible today," I text my friend Medha, adding a frowning face.

The New Yorker

Charles Mendis, a software engineer, lamented, "This feels like a disaster" and added an emoticon of a frowning face.

The New York Times - Tech

Removing object semantics, such as a frowning face or fire symbol, requires human players to spend longer before finishing.

MIT Technology Review

These signals were recorded in the subjects while three calibration images (neutral face, smiling face and frowning face) and eight ceramic flooring images were being projected.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

The first response to his message offered a colon and open parenthesis in the form of a frowning face.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Often filling his worksheets with scribbles of frowning faces, Matthias barely made it through kindergarten.

The New York Times

After a few minutes, however, subjects are told to press the space bar when they see frowning faces.

The New Yorker

Instead, robots with painted frowning faces loosely based on the managers' actual faces will roll onto the field to confront umpires with angry whirring noises.

The New Yorker

She was referring to the stickers with frowning faces used by parents, pediatricians and poison-control centers to warn children away from household hazards.

The New York Times

This takes little effort, since smiling faces automatically trigger what's known as "approach behavior". After a few minutes, however, subjects are told to press the space bar when they see frowning faces.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frowning face" to clearly and directly describe a facial expression indicating unhappiness, disapproval, or concern. It's universally understood and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "frowning face" is widely understood, avoid relying heavily on it in formal writing. Opt for more nuanced descriptions of emotions, such as "displaying concern" or "expressing disapproval" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frowning face" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific facial expression that communicates a negative emotion. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frowning face" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an expression of unhappiness, disapproval, or concern. As Ludwig confirms, it is a standard phrase in English writing. Its frequency of use makes it readily understood across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific publications. While acceptable in most situations, it might be best to opt for more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. Describing this expression in greater detail can involve specifying features like furrowed brows or a downturned mouth, providing a more vivid picture of the emotion being conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sad expression

Focuses on the general emotion conveyed rather than the specific facial feature.

glum face

Suggests a sullen or melancholic mood.

displeased look

Highlights the feeling of dissatisfaction being displayed.

downcast face

Emphasizes the direction of the gaze and posture associated with sadness.

unsmiling face

Simply indicates the absence of a smile, implying negativity.

unhappy countenance

More formal and emphasizes the overall appearance of unhappiness.

long face

Idiomatic expression for sadness or disappointment.

sour face

Implies a bitter or resentful attitude.

pouting face

Suggests childish displeasure or sulkiness.

scowling visage

More intense and suggests anger or disapproval.

FAQs

How can I describe a "frowning face" in more detail?

To elaborate on a "frowning face", you might describe the specific features involved, such as furrowed brows, a downturned mouth, or a tense jaw. You can also focus on the emotion behind the expression, such as sadness, anger, or disappointment.

What emotions are typically associated with a "frowning face"?

A "frowning face" typically indicates negative emotions like sadness, disapproval, anger, worry, or confusion. The specific emotion can often be inferred from the context and other nonverbal cues.

Is "frowning face" appropriate for all writing styles?

While widely understood, "frowning face" might be considered too informal for academic or highly professional writing. In those contexts, consider more descriptive alternatives like "unhappy countenance" or "displeased look".

Can "frowning face" be used to describe objects or situations, not just people?

Yes, "frowning face" can be used metaphorically to describe objects or situations that appear negative or unpleasant. For example, you might say "the old house had a frowning face" if its architecture was gloomy or unwelcoming.