grimace

UK: /grɪˈmeɪs/ US: /ˈgrɪməs, grɪˈmeɪs/ ,(grim′əs, gri mās′)

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

grimaces

v 3rd person singular

grimacing

v pres p

grimaced

v past

grimaced

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

grim•ace /ˈgrɪməs, grɪˈmeɪs/   n., v., -aced, -ac•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. a facial expression, often ugly or twisted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc.

v. [no object]

2. to make grimaces:
   She grimaced from the pain.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

grim•ace  (grim′əs, gri mās′), n., v., -aced, -ac•ing. 
n. 

1. a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc.

v.i. 

2. to make grimaces.

• Latin -āceus -aceous
• French Frankish *grima mask (compare grime, grim) + -azo
• 1645–55

grim′ac•er, n. 
grim′ac•ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

grimace / ˈɡrɪməs ɡrɪˈmeɪs/ noun

1. an ugly or distorted facial expression, as of wry humour, disgust, etc

verb

1. (intransitive) to contort the face

Etymology: 17th Century: from French grimace, of Germanic origin; related to Spanish grimazo caricature; see grim

grimacer / ˈɡrɪməsə ɡrɪˈmeɪsə/ noun