countenance

UK: /ˈkaʊntɪnəns/ US: /ˈkaʊntənəns/ ,(koun′tn əns)

Inflections of 'countenance' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

countenances

v 3rd person singular

countenancing

v pres p

countenanced

v past

countenanced

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

coun•te•nance /ˈkaʊntənəns/   n., v., -nanced, -nanc•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. appearance, esp. the expression of the face:
   a sad countenance.
2. the face itself:
   I was happy to see your countenance.

v. [~ + object]

3. to permit or tolerate;
   approve;
   allow:
   I won't countenance that kind of language in the house.

coun•te•nanc•er, n. [countable] See -tent-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

coun•te•nance  (koun′tn əns), n., v., -nanced, -nanc•ing. 
n. 

1. appearance, esp. the look or expression of the face:
   a sad countenance.
2. the face;
   visage.
3. calm facial expression;
   composure.
4. approval or favor;
   encouragement;
   moral support.
5. [Obs.] bearing;
   behavior.
6. Idioms out of countenance, visibly disconcerted;
   abashed:
   He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology.

v.t. 

7. to permit or tolerate:
   You should not have countenanced his rudeness.
8. to approve, support, or encourage.

• Latin continentia; see continence
• Anglo-French cuntena(u)nce, Old French contenance
• Middle English cuntenaunce behavior, bearing, self-control 1250–1300

coun′te•nanc′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. See face. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

countenance / ˈkaʊntɪnəns/ noun

1. the face, esp when considered as expressing a person's character or mood
2. support or encouragement; sanction
3. composure; self-control (esp in the phrases keeporlose one's countenance; out of countenance)

verb (transitive)

1. to support or encourage; sanction
2. to tolerate; endure

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French contenance mien, behaviour, from Latin continentia restraint, control; see contain

ˈcountenancer noun