morose face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "morose face" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's facial expression that is gloomy, sullen, or ill-tempered. Example: As she entered the room, she immediately noticed her boss's morose face. He had clearly received some bad news, causing his usual cheerful demeanor to be replaced by a look of sadness and worry.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Here, nothing stands between the audience and Mr. David's acerbic vision and morose face.

The New York Times

"I like the sadder one," Tarantino said, looking affectionately at Michael Madsen's morose face frozen on the screen.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Don't let those morose faces fool you.

The New York Times

He had big eyes and a buzz cut, a morose expression on his face.

The New York Times - Magazine

His normally morose expression brightens, and he responds with his own hand motions and funny faces.

The New York Times - Arts

It has been a long time since his gift for comedy -- evident in the first "Star Wars" and Indiana Jones pictures, and also in Mike Nichols's "Working Girl" -- has peeked out from behind that clenched, morose action-hero face.

The New York Times

A striking one is "A Melancholic Day" (1936), in which a morose looking part of a face (the brow, eye and nose) shares a cloudy ground with a silver spoon, a large floating drape of black cloth, the carefully coiffed back of a woman's head, a small nosegay and a tiny round table.

The New York Times - Arts

Debbie Stanton watched her husband, Mike, answer the cellphone as he was driving from New Jersey to upstate New York last Thursday, saw the expression on his face change from jovial to morose and then heard him provide the stunning news that would alter their lives.

The New York Times - Sports

As a result of his oversight, Mr. Hall took at face value some of Dr. Morose's more outlandish findings, like the "fact" that 11 of the dozen songs on Ms. Cline's "Greatest Hits" album had themes of "obsessive behavior, inconsolable anxiety, creeping insanity and revenge".

The New York Times

They are approached by a morose-looking, chubby man with a round face and rosy cheeks.

The New Yorker

Certainly that's what it might seem like to a comprehensive teacher faced with a class of morose 15-year-olds, menaced by male peer pressure to stay "cool".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "morose face" to specifically describe a facial expression that combines sadness, gloom, and often a sense of being ill-tempered or sullen. It's more nuanced than simply "sad face".

Common error

Avoid using "morose face" when you simply mean someone looks sad or unhappy. "Morose" implies a deeper, more persistent gloom, often accompanied by a withdrawn or sulky demeanor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morose face" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where 'morose' modifies 'face'. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and depicts a gloomy or sullen facial expression. It adds detail by specifying the kind of face.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "morose face" is a grammatically correct descriptive term used to portray a facial expression marked by sadness, gloom, and often a sullen disposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and understandable expression. Although relatively rare in usage, it is predominantly found in news and media contexts. When writing, it's important to reserve "morose face" for situations where you want to convey a more profound and persistent sense of unhappiness, rather than simple sadness. Alternatives like "sad expression" or "gloomy countenance" can be suitable substitutes depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sad expression

Focuses on the general emotion of sadness, omitting the sullen aspect.

sullen look

Emphasizes the sulky and resentful aspect of the expression.

gloomy countenance

Uses more formal language to describe a depressed appearance.

unhappy face

A more direct and simple way to describe a face showing unhappiness.

dismal expression

Highlights the bleak and depressing nature of the facial expression.

melancholy face

Emphasizes a thoughtful sadness, a more reflective unhappiness.

depressed look

Directly indicates a state of depression visible in the face.

somber face

Highlights the serious and grave nature of the expression.

downcast face

Focuses on the physical aspect of looking down or dejected.

pessimistic expression

Highlights a belief that things will turn out badly, reflected in the face.

FAQs

What does "morose face" mean?

A "morose face" describes a facial expression characterized by gloom, sadness, and often a sullen or ill-tempered demeanor. It suggests a deeper, more persistent state of unhappiness than simple sadness.

What can I say instead of "morose face"?

You can use alternatives like "sad expression", "gloomy countenance", or "sullen look" depending on the context and specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "morose face" in a sentence?

Example: "As he listened to the news, a "morose face" settled upon him". Or: "The bad weather seemed to bring a "morose face" to everyone on the streets".

What's the difference between "sad face" and "morose face"?

"Sad face" generally indicates simple unhappiness, while "morose face" implies a deeper, more persistent state of gloom, often accompanied by a withdrawn or sulky demeanor.