1
: stern, harsh
a dour expression on her face
2
: obstinate, unyielding
an insistent hunger for learning and a dour … determination to achieve itWalter Moberly
3
: gloomy, sullen
a dour disposition
dourly adverb
dourness noun

Examples of dour in a Sentence

She had a dour expression on her face. the dour mood of the crowd
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Michigan sentiment reading has been quite dour for the past few months, causing some investors to worry about the implications for the U.S. economy. Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 11 May 2025 Contributions to Peter’s Pence—a fundraising arm implemented a thousand years earlier by the Saxons in England, by which ordinary Catholics make contributions to support the Pope—soared after Francis succeeded the more dour Pope Benedict XVI. Gerald Posner, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 Some investors remained dour about the outlook, expecting slow progress on trade deals. Danielle Kaye, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025 And Pereira is the latest Wolves figure to look past the place’s rather dour exterior to sample its increasingly popular food. Steve Madeley, New York Times, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dour

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dour was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dour. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

dour

adjective
: looking or being stern or sullen
dourly adverb
dourness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dour

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