Pronunciation: [fɹˈa͡ʊnɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "frowning" is spelled with a silent 'w' which can cause confusion when trying to sound out the word phonetically. The symbol /aʊ/ represents the vowel sound in "frown", but the letter 'w' is used to signal a shift in the sound of the vowel to /ɔ/ in "frowning". This shift is known as a diphthong, and is common in English pronunciation. The final '-ing' ending is pronounced with a soft 'ng' sound, symbolized as /ŋ/.
Frowning is a verb that refers to the facial expression characterized by the contracting of the forehead muscles, resulting in a wrinkling or furrowing of the brow, typically accompanied by a downwards curving of the corners of the mouth. This expression is typically associated with one's displeasure, concern, or anxiety.
When a person frowns, they typically exhibit a serious or stern countenance, conveying a negative or disapproving emotion. It is a physical gesture commonly used to communicate dissatisfaction, frustration, or disagreement. Frowning can also be an involuntary response to pain, sadness, confusion, or concentration.
The act of frowning involves the contraction of specific muscles, primarily the corrugator supercilii muscles located above the eyebrows and the orbicularis oculi muscles surrounding the eyes. These contractions cause ridges or lines to form on the forehead and a downward pull of the corners of the mouth.
Frowning can occur in various degrees, ranging from a slight creasing of the forehead to a deep furrow accompanied by a downward mouth curvature. The intensity of a frown can vary depending on the individual and the emotional state they are experiencing.
Overall, frowning is a facial expression that communicates a negative emotional state or disapproval, as well as physical discomfort. It is a recognizable and universal gesture that serves as a nonverbal means of communication in human interactions.
Knitting the brows in anger or displeasure.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "frowning" is derived from the verb "frown", which dates back to Middle English. The Old English predecessor of "frown" was "frōnian", which meant "to frown or scowl". This Old English word ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic root "fronōną", which meant "to frown" or "to have a wrinkled face". The origin of this Proto-Germanic word is uncertain.
