brow furrowed

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   having deep lines on the forehead, usually because of worry, confusion, or concentration

   Grammar: Used after a linking verb or after 'with': her brow was furrowed; he sat with his brow furrowed.

   Patterns

   • someone's brow is furrowed
   • with a furrowed brow
   • a furrowed brow

   She listened to the test results with her brow furrowed, trying to take it all in.

   His brow was furrowed as he read the same paragraph for the third time.

   The photo shows a tired teacher, brow furrowed, marking papers late at night.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasefigurative

   used figuratively to describe a look of serious thought or disapproval on someone's face

   Grammar: Often appears as 'a furrowed brow' to mean a worried or disapproving expression.

   Patterns

   • a furrowed brow
   • someone's furrowed brow

   The manager's furrowed brow told us the meeting had not gone well.

   There was a furrowed brow or two when the budget cuts were announced.

Common combinations

brow furrowed in concentration

He stared at the chessboard, brow furrowed in concentration.

with a furrowed brow

She read the letter with a furrowed brow.

his brow was furrowed

His brow was furrowed with worry when he heard the news.

a deeply furrowed brow

Years of stress had left him with a deeply furrowed brow.

Synonyms and how they differ

frowning

Frowning describes the mouth and face turning down in displeasure, while a furrowed brow specifically refers to the lines on the forehead.

scowling

Scowling is stronger and more openly angry or threatening than simply having a furrowed brow.

Opposites

Word family

furrow verb

to make deep lines in something, especially the forehead

furrowed adjective

having deep lines, as in a furrowed brow or a furrowed field

Commonly confused: brow furrowed or farrow?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “brow furrowed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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