French word

sourcil

Pronunciation

IPA/suʁsi/

Meaning

  • masculine nouneyebrow

Example

Elle se maquille les sourcils tous les matins.

She does her eyebrows every morning.

Illustration for sourcil (eyebrow)

More examples

Il a haussé les sourcils en entendant la nouvelle.

He lifted his eyebrows when he heard the news.

Core concept

A narrow strip of hair above the eye that frames the gaze and shifts with facial expression.

Common phrases

  • hausser les sourcils

    lift one's eyebrows

  • froncer les sourcils

    knit one's brows

Similar words

paupière: A thin fold of skin that opens and closes over the eye for protection.
cil: Short, fine hairs along the edge of the eye that block irritants.
front: The flat upper part of the face between the hairline and the eyebrows.

Definition in French

Ensemble de petits poils au-dessus de l'œil, visible et mobile, qui encadre le regard.

Word origin

Sourcil descends through Old French sorcil from Latin supercilium, with historical changes in its form and sound.

Usage tips

  • For a reflexive grooming action, French uses the definite article in Elle se maquille les sourcils rather than a possessive adjective.

Related words

Word lists with this word