Moue

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /muː/
• Homophones: moo

Origin

From French moue, from Old French moe ("grimace"), from Frankish *mauwa ("pout, protruding lip"). Compare mow ("grimace").

Full definition of moue

Noun

1. A pout, especially as expressing mock-annoyance or flirtatiousness. from 19th c.
• 1913, Jack London, The Valley of the Moon:She glanced aside to the rim of the looking-glass where his photograph was wedged, shuddered, and made a moue of distaste.
• 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, She made what I believe, though I wouldn't swear to it, is called a moue. Putting the lips together and shoving them out, if you know what I mean. The impression I got was that she was disappointed in Bertram, having expected better things ....
• 2011, Hadley Freeman, The Guardian, 2 Feb 2011:Why do you wear European clothes?" fumed Oscar de la Renta with a moue of disapproval and stamp of his bejewelled foot (probably).

Usage notes

Often used in the phrase “make a moue”, influenced by French “faire la moue”, meaning “to pout”.