B2adjective2K

Miserable

UK /["/ˈmɪzrəbl/"]/US /["/ˈmɪzrəbl/"]/

Definition

very unhappy or uncomfortable

In simple words: Feeling very unhappy or uncomfortable.

Examples

  • She felt miserable after losing her job and didn't want to talk to anyone.
  • The miserable weather made the outdoor event very unpleasant.
  • He lived in a miserable little apartment with no heat during winter.
  • After the argument, his miserable mood lasted for several days.
  • The team’s miserable performance was disappointing to the fans.
  • Despite the miserable conditions, the hikers continued their journey bravely.

Usage notes

Use 'miserable' to describe a person's feelings or a situation that causes great sadness. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts but may sound overly dramatic in light or humorous conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'misery' and the first part sounds like 'miss', so if you miss something, you feel miserable.

Collocations

  • be
  • feel
  • look
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • about
  • be
  • feel
  • look
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • about

Synonyms

  • depressing
  • grumpy
  • paltry

Antonyms

  • happy
  • joyful
  • content

Common mistakes

  • Using 'miserable' to describe mild annoyance instead of deep unhappiness.
  • Confusing 'miserable' with 'miserly', which means stingy.
  • Using it inappropriately to describe a physical object, rather than a person's feelings or states.