A grimace is a twisted facial expression that shows pain, disgust, or discomfort. When you taste something truly awful, like spoiled milk, your face might scrunch up into a grimace without you even thinking about it. When someone accidentally slams their finger in a drawer, they'll likely grimace as the sharp pain hits.

A grimace is different from other unpleasant expressions. A frown shows sadness or disapproval, but a grimace is more intense and physical: your whole face contorts, your nose might wrinkle, your lips might pull back, and your eyes might squeeze shut. It's your face's automatic reaction to something genuinely unpleasant.

You might grimace when you hear nails scratching on a chalkboard, when you step on a LEGO brick with bare feet, or when you have to swallow bitter medicine. Athletes often grimace during intense effort or after an injury. Sometimes people grimace at an embarrassing memory, their face scrunching up as if reliving the awkward moment.

The word can also work as a verb: you grimace when you make that twisted expression. If someone offers you Brussels sprouts and you grimace, they'll know exactly how you feel about them, even if you don't say a word.