stern appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stern appearance" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe the facial expression of someone who looks serious or disapproving. For example, "The teacher greeted the students with a stern appearance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She was probably about twenty-five, had long fair hair in a ponytail, it seemed to tauten her face and, along with her small straight lips, gave her a stern appearance, which the fleeting glance she sent me — where I sensed a good deal of skepticism — reinforced.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Aubame, whom journalist Ronald Matthews descried as having "a curiously harsh voice, a severe appearance, and... a stern character", died in 1989 in Libreville.

Wikipedia

It lasted about 10 minutes before the sky returned to its stern cold appearance.

The Guardian - Travel

But a trip to this gay cop convention showed that behind the stern outside appearance of a police officer lies an actual human being.

Vice

They will make fewer appearances as stern search-and-rescue workers and soldier dogs and guide dogs.

The New York Times

Such structural difference perturbs the degeneracy of the ν2, ν3 and ν4 modes in the pyroxene infrared spectra (Sterns 1974) causing the appearance of larger number of IR bands as a result of the different bonding between the terminal (Ot) and bridging (Ob) oxygen to the Si atoms.

Applied Water Science

He appeared stern to some.

The New York Times

A square-stern sailing skiff of distinctive appearance is found on the Turkish Black Sea coast; it resembles a coaster of larger size known as the taka.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But questions about his judgment, his seasoning and the style in which he has conducted the trial, questions posed by lawyers and legal scholars almost from the outset, have grown more intense in the last few weeks with his metamorphosis before millions and the appearance of a sterner incarnation of the man.

The New York Times

But football fans backed Mr. Miller when he was confronted by Stuttering John, HOWARD STERN's radio sidekick, at an appearance at ESPN Zone restaurant yesterday with fellow commentators and reporters AL MICHAELS, DAN FOUTS, ERIC DICKERSON and MELISSA STARK.

The New York Times

NATO hardly appeared more stern.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stern appearance" to succinctly describe someone who looks serious, strict, or disapproving. It's effective for setting a tone or quickly conveying a character's disposition.

Common error

While a "stern appearance" can suggest displeasure, it doesn't necessarily imply anger. Ensure the context supports the interpretation if you intend to convey anger, or consider using more direct language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stern appearance" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, modifying a subject by indicating their outward presentation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stern appearance" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe someone with a serious, strict, or disapproving look. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s found in various reputable sources, particularly in news and media. While not extremely common, it’s a useful phrase for quickly conveying a character's disposition or setting a specific tone. When using "stern appearance", be mindful of the context to avoid misinterpreting 'stern' as simply 'angry', and consider alternative phrases like "serious demeanor" or "severe look" for slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid confusing it with "strict appearance", which refers to adherence to dress or grooming standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stern gaze

Emphasizes the act of looking with sternness.

severe look

Focuses on the visual expression, suggesting a harsh or unforgiving gaze.

serious demeanor

Emphasizes the overall conduct and behavior, highlighting a grave and thoughtful manner.

strict look

Conveys a sense of discipline and authority in the visual expression.

forbidding countenance

Suggests a face that discourages approach or interaction due to its sternness.

austere visage

Highlights a plain and simple facial expression, often associated with strictness.

grim expression

Indicates a cheerless and uninviting facial display.

severe mien

Similar to 'serious demeanor' but with a slightly more old-fashioned or formal tone.

unsmiling face

A simple way to describe the absence of a smile, implying seriousness.

somber look

Highlights the mournful or grave quality of the appearance.

FAQs

How can I describe someone who looks serious without using "stern appearance"?

You could use phrases like "serious demeanor", "severe look", or "austere visage" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each offers a slightly different take on a serious or severe outward presentation, while others such as "stern gaze" are related to looking with sternness.

Is "stern appearance" a formal or informal phrase?

While not overly formal, "stern appearance" is suitable for most writing contexts. It's commonly found in news articles and literature, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register.

Can "stern appearance" be used to describe objects or situations?

While primarily used to describe people, "stern" can occasionally describe objects or situations that evoke a sense of severity or harshness. However, "stern appearance" is almost exclusively used for people.

What's the difference between "stern appearance" and "strict appearance"?

"Stern appearance" suggests a serious or severe look, while "strict appearance" implies adherence to rules or standards of dress or grooming. A person with a "strict appearance" might be wearing a very neat uniform, for example.