CultureAugust 8, 2026

dour

DOW-er

Definition

Relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in appearance or manner.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'durus' meaning 'hard' or 'harsh,' the word entered Middle English to describe someone or something that is cold, stubborn, or forbidding.

In the news

In the review, 'dour' is used to describe the grim, gritty, and unyielding atmosphere characteristic of the protagonist's challenging life in the film.

The Boxer (1977) Blu-ray Review: The Fighter Still Remains

Read the full article ↗

Cinema Sentries

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.