Meaning & Definition of Countenance in English
English⟶
Countenance
/kaʊntənəns/
noun
1. The appearance conveyed by a person's face
- "A pleasant countenance"
- "A stern visage"
synonym:
- countenance,
- visage
2. Formal and explicit approval
- "A democrat usually gets the union's endorsement"
synonym:
- sanction,
- countenance,
- endorsement,
- indorsement,
- warrant,
- imprimatur
3. The human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is british)
synonym:
- countenance,
- physiognomy,
- phiz,
- visage,
- kisser,
- smiler,
- mug
verb
1. Consent to, give permission
- "She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband"
- "I won't let the police search her basement"
- "I cannot allow you to see your exam"
synonym:
- permit,
- allow,
- let,
- countenance
Examples of using
There are as many vipers hiding in the grass as there is evil lying beneath a beautiful countenance.
He changed his countenance at the news.