Dour

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdÊŠÉ™/, /ˈdaÊŠÉ™/
• US IPA: /ˈdʊɹ/, /ˈdaÊŠÉš/, /ˈdaÊŠ.Éš/
• Rhymes: -uːə(r), -aÊŠÉ™(r)
• Homophones: Daur, doer, dower (depending on speaker)

Origin

From Scots dour, from Latin dūrus ("hard, stern"), possibly via Middle Irish dúr.

Full definition of dour

Adjective

1. Stern, harsh and forbidding.
2. Unyielding and obstinate.
3. Expressing gloom or melancholy; sullenly unhappy.

Synonyms

• (stern, harsh) forbidding, harsh, severe, stern
• (unyielding) obstinate, stubborn, unyielding
• (expressing gloom) dejected, gloomy, melancholic, sullen

Derived terms

• dourly
• dourness