countenance
/ˈkaʊntənəns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkaʊntənəns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkau̇n-tᵊn-ən(t)s ˈkau̇nt-nən(t)s/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkaʊn.tən.əns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkaʊn.t̬ən.əns/ (ame, ipa)
countenance — noun
- countenancesingular
- countenancesplural
1. the way a person's face looks, especially the feeling it shows.
the way a person's face looks, especially the feeling it shows.
The old judge kept a stern countenance throughout the noisy hearing.
formal noun for facial expression
Relief softened Andres's countenance when the missing child ran home.
emotion shown clearly on a face
Even after the joke, Folake's countenance remained serious and distant.
The nurse's calm countenance reassured patients waiting outside the theater.
A sudden smile changed Piotr's countenance as he read the letter.
- face
the basic everyday word, without the formal tone
- expression
focuses more directly on emotion shown in the face
- look
broader and more informal, and can describe a temporary expression
文法句型
a [adjective] countenance
change or soften someone's countenance
用法筆記
Formal and somewhat literary. It is used more for the look or emotion shown on a face than for the face as a physical body part.
2. open approval or moral support for an action, idea, or group.
open approval or moral support for an action, idea, or group.
The proposal gained official countenance from the city council last week.
official approval in formal contexts
Without public countenance, the campaign quickly lost money and volunteers.
Her silence gave countenance to the rumor in the office.
The school refused to lend countenance to cruel online jokes.
- approval
the broad everyday word, less formal than 'countenance'
- backing
often stresses practical or political support
- endorsement
sounds more official and explicit, especially in public statements
- disapproval
shows that someone thinks the action is wrong
- opposition
goes beyond withholding approval and actively resists something
文法句型
give countenance to + noun
lend countenance to + noun
用法筆記
Usually appears in fixed formal phrases such as 'give countenance to' or 'lend countenance to'. It often refers to public, moral, or institutional backing rather than private liking.
countenance — verb
- countenancepresent simple I / you / we / they
- countenances3rd person singular
- countenancing-ing form
- countenancedpast simple
1. to show approval of something and allow it to continue.
to show approval of something and allow it to continue.
No manager should countenance bullying between staff members, even as a joke.
countenance + unacceptable behavior
The museum would not countenance selling the stolen painting back.
countenance + gerund
Parents sometimes countenance late nights during exam week, but not every weekend.
The party leadership refused to countenance any deal with the militia.
Our coach will not countenance players mocking younger teammates online.
文法句型
countenance + noun
countenance + gerund
用法筆記
Formal and often used in negative statements or with verbs such as 'refuse'. It usually suggests permitting behavior that the speaker sees as wrong or unacceptable.