head bowed
Gaze toward ground
Head bowed describes the posture of tilting one's head downward, chin toward chest.
The gesture typically signals respect, submission, prayer, or grief: She stood with head bowed at the grave.
It can also indicate shame or defeat: He left the courtroom head bowed, avoiding the cameras.
In religious contexts, bowing the head accompanies prayer or reverence.
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
- reverentFeeling profound respect
- prayerAddress to deity
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- griefIntense sorrow from loss
submission · nodding · eyes closed · deep in thought · lowered · bent · hanging low · solemn · mourning · moment of silence · respect · defeated · weary · weight of the world · contemplation · genuflect · penitent · somber
- gesturesgesture, hand gestures, applause, hand raise, tap on shoulder
head bowedhead held high
Bearing showing self-respect
head up · chin up · looking up · standing tall · upright posture
head bowedhead held high
Bearing showing self-respect
standing tall · unbowed · self-assured · chest out · walking tall
head boweddefiant
Openly resisting control
standing tall · imperious · haughty · looking down one's nose · commanding presence
head, bowed, heads, headed, heading, headless, header, bow, bows