DOW-ur
/ˈdaʊɚ/
Dour is pronounced DOW-ur (/ˈdaʊɚ/). Dour is a single-syllable adjective (also a noun in specific contexts) meaning stern, severe, or gloomy in appearance or mood. It often conveys a lack of warmth or cheerfulness. In noun form, it can refer to a stern person or an unyielding stance, though this usage is less common in modern everyday speech.
nounDour is a single-syllable adjective (also a noun in specific contexts) meaning stern, severe, or gloomy in appearance or mood. It often conveys a lack of warmth or cheerfulness. In noun form, it can refer to a stern person or an unyielding stance, though this usage is less common in modern everyday speech.
"The boss's dour expression made it clear the meeting would be strict and unyielding."
"Despite the sunny forecast, his dour mood dampened the celebrations."
"The monastery's dour silence punctuated the long, solemn ceremony."
Pronunciation is /daʊr/ in US English, typically a single rhotic syllable where the vowel is a diphthong starting at /a/ and gliding to /ʊ/ before the rhotic /r/. In many UK pronunciations, you’ll hear /daʊə/ with a schwa-colored ending, and in Australian English it often lands near /daʊə/ as well. Start with the mouth open for /a/ then quickly close toward /ʊ/ while curling the tip of the tongue toward the alveolar ridge for the /r/ in rhotic dialects. Keep the jaw relaxed and avoid an unnecessary vowel elongation.
Two frequent errors are turning /aʊ/ into a pure /a/ or /ɑː/ and neglecting the final rhotic /r/ in rhotic dialects. Some learners also pronounce with a long, tense /oʊ/ or separate the /d/ and the vowel too much, producing /doʊr/ or /dɔr/. The corrective tip: start with /aʊ/ as in 'now' and then immediately circle into a relaxed /ɹ/ or an unapparent ending in non-rhotic accents; keep the lip rounding subtle and avoid a hard, prolonged vowel.
In US English, /daʊɹ/ is typical with a clear rhotic /ɹ/ ending; the /r/ is pronounced strongly. UK speakers may render it as /ˈdaʊə/ (non-rhotic) with a more centralized ending, sometimes sounding like a quick schwa after the /ʊ/ before the /ə/ if a linking word follows. Australian speakers often share the /daʊə/ realization but can have slightly more rounded lips and a shorter final vowel. Overall, rhoticity and vowel quality vary, but the core /aʊ/ nucleus remains central.
The difficulty centers on the short, precise /aʊ/ diphthong and any subtle assimilation into an /ɹ/ or schwa ending depending on accent. Learners often flatten /aʊ/ into /a/ or overemphasize the /r/, producing /daɹ/ or /dɔːɹ/. Practice tip: rehearse the diphthong in isolation (as in 'now') then attach a light /ɹ/ in rhotic dialects, or a soft /ə/ for non-rhotic contexts, ensuring the glide remains tight and under control.
No silent letters in standard pronunciations, but the word is monosyllabic with primary stress on the only syllable. Some speakers may reduce the final vowel in connected speech (to a schwa or light /ə/), especially in non-rhotic accents, giving a softer end. Focus on the single stressed syllable, ensure the /aʊ/ glide is present, and let the /ɹ/ or final vowel flow naturally with the following sound.
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Dour originates from the Old French dure, from Latin durus meaning firm, hard, or harsh. The sense evolved from describing physical hardness or sternness to mood and demeanor (grim, unyielding) in Middle English. It entered English via Norman influence, with early attestations denoting someone severe or uninviting. Over time, the word broadened to various figurative uses — for example, describing landscapes, atmospheres, or personalities that feel forbidding or austere. The noun use, less common today, historically referred to a person of stern countenance or demeanor; in contemporary usage, adjectives dominate. The evolution reflects shifts in social expectations of politeness and warmth, where a dour style conveys gravity rather than outright hostility. First known written appearances date to the late medieval period, with citations in legal and religious contexts, before becoming a general descriptor in literature by the early modern era.
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Help others use "Dour" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Dour" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Dour" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Dour"
-our sounds
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