furrowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'furrowed' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone's face or brow when it is creased, wrinkled, or wrinkly with lines or creases. For example: "He furrowed his brow in concentration as he attempted to solve the complicated equation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Drawing is frequently laboured and cramped, and you can imagine a man bent over the paper with a pencil or a pair of scissors, his tongue poking from the corner of his mouth and brow furrowed as he concentrates.

The Guardian - Arts

Brows are now being furrowed at Threadneedle Street over the looming embarrassment of an extraordinary letter that Sir Edward George, the Bank's governor, may soon have to write to Gordon Brown, the chancellor of the exchequer.Sir Edward, once memorably accused of being an "inflation-nutter", has to meet the precise terms of the government's remit to the Bank for controlling inflation.

The Economist

After all, Mr Schröder, who turned 55 on April 7th, has always been something of a quick-change artist, puffing cigars with his pals the bosses one moment, hobnobbing on the shop-floor the next, his brow furrowed with concern for those on small incomes.

The Economist

THE tactics used by Valeant Pharmaceuticals and Pershing Square Capital, an activist hedge fund, in their hostile bid for Allergan, the maker of Botox, have furrowed some brows.

The Economist

Having repeatedly protested his innocence, Mr Huhne pleaded guilty on February 4th; brows furrowed, commentators lamented the damage this did to MPs' public standing.

The Economist

His brow is also furrowed, in place of his usual thoughtful look.

The Economist

Vowing to turn the police into "ratcatchers, not social workers", he became the Tory poster boy for the reform, though more recent hints that he would quite like to do the job part-time have furrowed brows.

The Economist

WHETHER strong religious identity, and the ethical views that go with it, necessarily undercut national identity has long furrowed brows, especially in Western secular democracies with heavy immigration.

The Economist

At this Chief Justice Roberts furrowed his brow:It's very hard to see how that limit would be applied.

The Economist

"It is no longer a matter of two sides but of something bigger, and out of our control," says a Damascene dissident with a furrowed brow.Particularly worrying is the growing involvement of Islamist extremists, who profit both from experience in Iraq and supply lines to Iraq's lawless Sunni regions.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But this year there was furrowed-brow introspection mixed with the tub-thumping.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "furrowed" to vividly describe facial expressions indicating concentration, worry, or disapproval, adding depth to character portrayals in writing.

Common error

Avoid using "furrowed" to describe expressions of joy or excitement. It's primarily associated with negative emotions like worry or intense concentration.

Linguistic Context

The term "furrowed" primarily functions as a past participle or adjective. As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes a state of being marked by lines or wrinkles, often indicating worry, concentration, or age. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

29%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "furrowed" is a versatile term mainly functioning as a past participle or adjective, predominantly used to describe brows or surfaces marked by lines, indicating worry, concentration, or the effects of age. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its frequent appearance in news and encyclopedia sources highlights its suitability for both neutral and professional contexts. When employing this term, consider synonyms like "wrinkled" or "creased" for nuanced variations in meaning, and ensure its usage aligns with the intended emotion or state being conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brow furrowed in thought

Emphasizes the act of furrowing the brow as a result of deep thinking or contemplation.

brows knitted

Specifically refers to the action of drawing the eyebrows together, indicating worry or concentration.

etched with worry

Implies that lines are deeply imprinted due to prolonged stress or anxiety.

wrinkled

Focuses on the presence of wrinkles without necessarily implying a specific emotion or action.

forehead creased

Highlights the presence of creases on the forehead, suggesting age, worry, or concentration.

creased

Highlights the formation of lines or folds, often suggesting a less intense or permanent state than "furrowed".

lined

Emphasizes the presence of lines on a surface, particularly the skin, due to age or worry.

marked with lines

A general way to describe a surface with lines, applicable to various contexts beyond facial expressions.

grooved

Suggests deeper, more pronounced lines or channels, typically used for non-facial surfaces.

corrugated

Describes a surface with a series of parallel ridges and grooves, often used for materials like cardboard or metal.

FAQs

How can I use "furrowed" in a sentence?

You can use "furrowed" to describe a brow or face, for example: "His brow was "furrowed" in concentration as he read the complex report."

What is a synonym for "furrowed"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "furrowed" include "wrinkled", "creased", or "lined".

Is it correct to say "furrowed brow" or "furrowed forehead"?

Both "furrowed brow" and "furrowed forehead" are correct, although "furrowed brow" is more commonly used.

What does it mean when someone's brow is "furrowed"?

A "furrowed" brow typically indicates that someone is experiencing worry, concentration, or deep thought.