countenance

(koun'tə-nəns)
n.

1. Appearance, especially the expression of the face: The question left him with a puzzled countenance.
2. The face or facial features.
3. 1. A look or expression indicative of encouragement or of moral support.
   2. Support or approval.
4. Obsolete. Bearing; demeanor.

tr.v., -nanced, -nanc·ing, -nanc·es.
To give sanction or support to; tolerate or approve: The college administration will not countenance cheating.

[Middle English contenaunce, from Old French, from contenir, to behave. See contain.]

countenancer coun'te·nanc·er n.

View more Literature & Language videos

noun

1. An outward appearance: aspect, face, look, physiognomy, surface, visage. See surface/depth.
2. A disposition of the facial features that conveys meaning, feeling, or mood: aspect, cast, expression, face, look, visage. See express.
3. The front surface of the head: face, feature (often used in plural), muzzle, visage. Informal mug. Slang kisser, map, pan, puss. See precede/follow.

verb

1. To lend supportive approval to: encourage, favor, smile on (or upon). See support/oppose.
2. To be favorably disposed toward: approve, favor, hold with. Informal go for. Idioms: take kindly to. See praise/blame.

v

Definition: approve, support
Antonyms: deny, disagree, disapprove, discourage, fight, oppose, refuse

IN BRIEF: n. - The appearance conveyed by a person's face; The human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British); Formal and explicit approval. v. - Consent to, give permission.

I believe long habits of virtue have a sensible effect on the countenance. — Benjamin Franklin 

LearnThatWord.com is a free vocabulary and spelling program where you only pay for results!

For a list of words related to countenance, see:

• Aspects and Components of Appearance - countenance: demeanor and expression, esp. on face as indication of feelings
• Approval, Respect, and Recognition - countenance: (vb) extend approval, sanction

---

See words rhyming with "countenance."

  See crossword solutions for the clue Countenance.

Dansk (Danish)
n. - ansigt, fatning, støtte, mine
v. tr. - bifalde, tolerere, opmuntre

Nederlands (Dutch)
gelaat(suitdruk- king), kalmte, morele steun, goedkeuren, aanmoedigen

Français (French)
n. - visage (littér), expression
v. tr. - admettre (sout), tolérer, admettre que

Deutsch (German)
n. - Antlitz, Ermutigung
v. - gutheißen

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - όψη, παρουσιαστικό, ενθάρρυνση, επιδοκιμασία
v. - επιτρέπω, ενθαρρύνω, επιδοκιμάζω

Italiano (Italian)
aria, viso, espressione, volto, sostegno, appoggio

Português (Portuguese)
n. - fisionomia (f), aprovação (f), calma (f)
v. - aprovar

Русский (Russian)
лицо, выражение лица, допускать

Español (Spanish)
n. - semblante, cara, expresión
v. tr. - dar apoyo o soporte

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - ansikte, anlete, ansiktsuttryck, min, fattning, uppmuntran, moraliskt stöd
v. - uppmuntra, tillåta, gilla

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
面容, 支持, 面部表情, 赞同, 鼓励

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 面容, 支持, 面部表情
v. tr. - 贊同, 支持, 鼓勵

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 겉모양, 침착, 정신적 지지
v. tr. - 시인하다, 지지하다, 용인하다

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 顔つき, 落ちつき, 精神的援助, 支持, 顔色, 落ち着き
v. - 好意を示す, 黙認する

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) سيما, محيا, وجه (فعل) قبل, رضى ب, وافق على‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮פנים, פרצוף, ארשת, עידוד, תמיכה, הופעה‬
v. tr. - ‮הרשה, עודד‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.