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dour

/ˈdaʊə/
Meanings
  • adjective

    expressing or exhibiting grimness, severity, or moroseness

Pronunciation
  1. /ˈdaʊə/



    Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=88675055"
Synonyms

dejected , gloomy , melancholic , sullen , forbidding , harsh , severe , stern , obstinate , stubborn , unyielding
Rhymes
Words rhyming with dour
power , tower , flower , hour
Variants
List of all variants of dour that leads to same result
dour , dourer , dourest , dourly , dourness , dournesses
Etymology
origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meaning 'hardy' or 'hearty', the modern sense of 'dour' developed in the late 15th century.

Trivia
Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

  1. The term 'dour' is derived from the Old French word 'dur', meaning 'hard'.

  2. In Scotland, the term 'dour' is used to describe a type of flatbread.

  3. The name of the town 'Dour' in Belgium is believed to be derived from the Celtic word 'dubros', meaning 'oak grove'.

Related Concepts
informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

  1. grim: Related concept, synonym of 'dour'. Both words describe a serious, unfriendly demeanor.

  2. miserable: Related concept, antonym of 'dour'. While 'dour' implies a certain level of control and determination, 'miserable' implies a lack of happiness or contentment.

Culture
Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, 'dour' is often used to describe characters who are unapproachable, brooding, or stubborn. In art, the term can be used to describe the somber mood or tone of a piece.

How to Memorize "dour"

  1. visualize

    - Visualize a person with a stern expression, unsmiling and unapproachable. This person is 'dour'.

  2. associate

    - Associate the word 'dour' with the idea of a strong, unyielding personality. Remember, this is a person who is not easily swayed or influenced.

  3. mnemonics

    - Remember the word 'dour' as 'Downright Unapproachable, Really Unyielding'.

🧠 Bonus Tips

To help you remember the word 'dour', follow these practical tricks with steps:

1. Rhyming trick: Associate the word 'dour' with the word 'hour'. They rhyme, and the word 'hour' is already a familiar word, making it easier to remember 'dour'.

2. Visualization trick: Imagine a Dour-faced person, looking very stern and serious. This visual association will help you remember the meaning of 'dour' as 'grim, gloomy, or sullen'.

3. Mnemonic sentence: Create a sentence using the word 'dour', such as 'The dour man rarely smiled, even during happy occasions.' This sentence will help you remember the meaning and spelling of 'dour'.

4. Repetition and practice: Regularly practice spelling and using the word 'dour' in sentences. The more you use it, the easier it will be to remember.

Memorize "dour" using Dictozo

The best and recommended way to memorize dour is, by using Dictozo. Just save the word in Dictozo extension and let the app handle the rest. It enhances the memorization process in two ways:

  1. Highlighting:

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