grimace
gb/ɡɹˈɪməs/ us/ɡɹˈɪməs/
B2
English
~ 2000
fintor, grimasz, elfintorodik, fintorog
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a grimace on [someone]'s face
She wore a grimace as the dentist began his work.
Fájdalmas fintor ült ki az arcára, amikor a fogorvos nekilátott a munkának.
His grimace made it clear he didn’t like the smell.
A fintorából egyértelmű volt, hogy nem tetszik neki a szag.
I could see the grimace on her face when she tasted the bitter medicine.
The actor gave a grimace to show his character’s frustration.
He tried to hide his grimace when he heard the bad news.
Learner examples
She had a grimace when she ate the lemon.
Fintort vágott, amikor beleharapott a citromba.
He made a grimace when he hurt his foot.
Fintort vágott, amikor megsérült a lába.
I saw his grimace when the food was bad.
She gave me a grimace after hearing the noise.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'grimace' with 'grin', but 'grin' usually means a big smile, not an expression of pain or dislike.
Meaning
Facial expression of pain or dislike
Collocations
wear a grimace
|with a grimace
|force a grimace
|a pained grimace
|a wry grimace
Synonyms
scowl (Usually shows anger or displeasure rather than pain or disgust.)
|
frown (Less intense; often shows mild displeasure or concentration.)
Antonyms
smile (Shows pleasure or friendliness, opposite of the negative emotion in a grimace.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|body language
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
An ugly or twisted face that shows you feel pain, dislike something, or do not approve.
A twisted or contorted facial expression that shows pain, disgust, or disapproval.
VERB
B2
2
elfintorodik
B2
fintorog
B2
Usage pattern:
to grimace at [something]
She grimaced as the nurse gave her the injection.
Elfintorodott, amikor az ápolónő beadta neki az injekciót.
He grimaced at the sour taste of the drink.
Elfintorodott az ital savanyú ízétől.
I couldn't help but grimace when I saw the mess.
They grimaced in unison as the smell reached them.
Learner examples
I grimaced when I hit my toe.
Elfintorodtam, amikor beütöttem a lábujjamat.
She grimaced at the bad smell.
Elfintorodott a rossz szagtól.
He grimaced when he drank the sour milk.
They grimaced when they heard the loud noise.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'grimace' with 'glance', but 'glance' means to look quickly, not to make a facial expression.
Meaning
Make a pained or disgusted face
Collocations
grimace in pain
|grimace at the taste
|grimace awkwardly
|grimace slightly
Synonyms
wince (A quick tightening of the face or body due to sudden pain or discomfort.)
|
scowl (Often shows anger rather than physical pain or disgust.)
Antonyms
smile (Shows pleasure or friendliness instead of negative emotion.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|body language
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make an ugly face because you feel pain, dislike something, or do not approve.
To twist your face in an ugly or contorted way to show pain, disgust, or disapproval.
Grammar
Dictionary form
grimace
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈɪməs/
US/ɡɹˈɪməs/
Syllables & stress
grim - ace (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (grim)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: grimace
- Plural: grimaces
Verb
- Base: grimace
- 3rd Person Singular: grimaces
- Present Participle: grimacing
- Past: grimaced
Word family
Forms
grimaces
noun
grimacing
verb
grimaced
verb
Expressions
grimace at the taste
1/ɡɹˈɪməs ˈæt ðə tˈeɪst/
fixed phrase
Face shows dislike for taste
To twist your face because something tastes bad.
Examples
- He grimaced at the taste of the bitter coffee.
- She grimaced at the taste of spoiled milk.
grimace in pain
1/ɡɹˈɪməs ˈɪn pˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
Make a pained face
To twist your face because you feel physical pain.
Examples
- He grimaced in pain when he stood up.
- She grimaced in pain after stubbing her toe.
with a grimace
1/wˈɪθ ə ɡɹˈɪməs/
fixed phrase
Showing pain or dislike on face
Doing something while showing pain, dislike, or disapproval on your face.
Examples
- She handed me the bill with a grimace.
- He accepted the criticism with a grimace.