grimace
C1Neutral to formal. More common in written narrative than casual spoken language.
Definition
Meaning
A sharp, ugly twisting of the face expressing pain, disgust, disapproval, or bitter amusement.
Used figuratively to describe an ugly or awkward shape, structure, or expression beyond facial features (e.g., 'the grimace of the old bridge').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a momentary, involuntary, and often exaggerated facial distortion. A grimace is a brief reaction, not a sustained expression.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences. Both function identically as noun and verb.
Connotations
Slightly more literary connotation in both dialects.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
grimace (v): [subject] + grimace (+ at + [object])grimace (v): [subject] + grimace + with/in + [noun (e.g., pain, disgust)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make a wry grimace (to show ironic resignation or distaste)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might describe a colleague's involuntary reaction to bad news: 'He couldn't hide a grimace when the Q3 figures were presented.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism, psychology, or medical texts describing expressions of pain or emotion.
Everyday
Describing reactions to unpleasant tastes, sights, or physical discomfort: 'She grimaced after drinking the sour milk.'
Technical
In animation, character design, or neurology to describe specific facial muscle movements.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He grimaced at the thought of eating another boiled sprout.
- The goalkeeper grimaced as he clutched his injured knee.
American English
- She grimaced when she tasted the overly sweet coffee.
- He grimaced with pain as he tried to stand up.
adverb
British English
- Not standard/common usage. Typically not used.
American English
- Not standard/common usage. Typically not used.
adjective
British English
- The grimace-inducing flavour of the medicine was hard to bear.
- He gave a grimace-like smile that betrayed his true feelings.
American English
- It was a grimace-worthy performance by the rookie pitcher.
- She wore a grimace-filled expression throughout the meeting.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child made a funny grimace.
- He grimaced because the lemon was sour.
- She grimaced in pain when she twisted her ankle.
- I could see a grimace on his face when he heard the price.
- A grimace of distaste flickered across her features before she composed herself.
- He tried to smile, but it came out as a pained grimace.
- The critic's review was so scathing it caused the playwright to grimace visibly in his seat.
- She offered a wry grimace, acknowledging the irony of the situation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine GRIM ACE: a grim, unpleasant face (ace of spades looking grim).
Conceptual Metaphor
PAIN/EMOTION IS A DISTORTION OF THE SURFACE (the face is a surface contorted by internal feeling).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как 'гримаса' в значении 'кривляние' или 'нарочитое шутовское выражение лица'. В английском 'grimace' почти всегда искренняя, негативная реакция, а не игра или представление.
- Не путать с 'smirk' (самодовольная усмешка) или 'sneer' (презрительная усмешка).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'grimace' to describe a happy or neutral expression.
- Pronouncing it as /ɡraɪˈmeɪs/ (like 'grime' + 'ace').
- Using it as a sustained expression: 'He had a permanent grimace' (better: 'scowl' or 'sneer').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be described as a 'grimace'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Overwhelmingly negative. It describes a reaction to pain, disgust, or something unpleasant. A 'wry grimace' can imply ironic amusement but is still based on a negative or resigned feeling.
Yes, it is very commonly used as a verb (e.g., 'She grimaced at the idea'). The noun and verb forms are equally standard.
A frown is primarily a drawing together of the brows, often showing thought or mild displeasure. A grimace is a broader, more distorted twisting of the whole face, indicating stronger, more visceral reactions like pain or disgust.
Yes, 'make a grimace' and 'grimace' (verb) are both correct. However, 'grimace' as a verb is often more concise and natural in modern usage.