Word
discomfort
Phoneticsdis·com·fort, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈskəmfɝt/
UK/dɪskˈʌmfət/
Definitions
01physical or mental unease
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a feeling of slight pain or worry that makes you feel uneasy.
n. a state of physical or psychological distress that is typically less intense than acute pain or suffering.
“The patient reported some mild discomfort in his shoulder after the surgery.”
“While the procedure is generally painless, patients may experience significant discomfort as the local anaesthetic begins to wear off.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun for the general feeling, but can be countable when referring to specific instances.
Synonyms
02an annoyance
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. something that makes you feel uncomfortable or annoyed.
n. an external circumstance or object that disturbs one's comfort or convenience.
“The lack of air conditioning was a major discomfort during the summer heatwave.”
“The explorers endured the discomforts of the damp cave for three days while waiting for the storm to pass.”
Usage
Commonly used in the plural ('discomforts') to describe difficult living conditions.
Synonyms
03to make someone uneasy
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to make someone feel worried, embarrassed, or physically uncomfortable.
v. to cause a person to feel distress, embarrassment, or lack of ease.
“The sudden silence in the room seemed to discomfort the speaker.”
“The prosecutor's aggressive line of questioning was clearly intended to discomfort the witness and undermine her composure.”
Usage
This transitive verb is less common than the noun form and often appears in formal or literary contexts.
Real-World Examples
“This can raise core body temperature, only adding to the discomfort when you're already hot, she said.” “That’s not the only instance where the material might benefit from one more draft: see the routine about his discomfort with dating black men.” Etymology
From Middle English discomforten, from Anglo-Norman descomforter, equivalent to dis- + comfort.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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