Countenance
/ˈkaʊntənəns/
nounverbC2
Definition
As a noun, countenance means the face or expression on someone's face that shows their feelings or mood. As a verb, it means to allow, accept, or support something, often an idea or behavior.
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See It in Action
Noun: The face or facial expression
- •Her calm countenance helped everyone feel relaxed during the meeting.
- •You could see worry in his countenance after hearing the news.
- •The painting showed a joyful countenance that made viewers smile.
Verb: To accept, allow, or approve (often quietly)
- •The teacher could not countenance cheating in the exam.
- •They refused to countenance any idea that would harm the environment.
- •The manager will not countenance lateness in the office.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "countenance" like "face" (A1 word), but used in a formal or serious way to mean not just the face but the expression that shows feelings.
- ✓Picture someone's face when they are calm, happy, or worried—this is their countenance, the look that tells you how they feel inside.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you look at a friend's face and understand their mood without words.
- ✓Sounds like "COUNT-in-nance" → imagine counting the small changes in someone's face to understand their feelings.
- ✓In stories, a character's countenance often shows their true thoughts, even if they say something different.
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "ignore" or "reject" — to countenance something means to accept or allow it, often quietly.
- ✓NOT like "face" (just the physical part), countenance includes the expression and emotion shown.
- ✓NOT like "approve" (which is often clear and loud), countenance can mean quiet acceptance or tolerance.
- ✓NOT like "support" (active help), countenance can be more passive, just allowing something.
Try Other Words
- •Expression: the look on someone's face showing feelings (Use when focusing on emotions shown)
- •Appearance: how someone looks (Use when talking about general look, not feelings)
- •Tolerate: to accept or allow something (Use when countenance is used as a verb about allowing behavior)
- •Approve: to agree or accept something openly (Use when acceptance is clear and positive)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Old French "contenance" meaning "behavior, bearing, face"
- •Etymology: Derived from Latin "continentia" meaning "self-control, restraint," later meaning "face" or "expression"
- •Historical development: Originally meant behavior or bearing, later shifted to mean the face or expression, and also to allow or accept something
- •Modern usage: Used mostly in formal or literary English to mean face/expression or to accept/allow something, often in serious contexts
Reflect & Connect
•How does a person's countenance help you understand their feelings without words?
•Can you think of a situation where you might need to countenance (accept) something you do not like? How would you handle it?
Fill in the blanks
1.Her countenance showed ___ calmness even though she was nervous inside.
2.The teacher would not countenance ___ behavior during the test, such as cheating or copying.
3.Unlike a simple smile, countenance can reveal ___ deeper emotions on a person's face.
4.When the manager countenanced the new policy, it meant they ___ it quietly but did not openly support it.
5.You can often tell someone's mood by their countenance, especially if their words ___ their feelings.
6.The painting's joyful countenance made viewers feel ___ and happy.
7.The company will not countenance any actions that ___ the law or harm others.