Word
disgraceful
Phoneticsdis·grace·ful, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪsˈɡɹeɪsfəɫ/
UK/dɪsɡɹˈeɪsfəl/
Definition
adj. very bad or shocking in a way that makes people feel angry or ashamed.
adj. deserving of strong condemnation or social disapproval due to a lack of morality or standards.
Examples
“The state of the public toilets is disgraceful.”
“It is disgraceful that the company refused to pay its workers for the extra hours they worked.”
“The committee found the lack of oversight to be disgraceful, noting that such negligence had directly led to the catastrophic failure of the infrastructure project.”
Examples
simple
“The state of the public toilets is disgraceful.”
contextual
“It is disgraceful that the company refused to pay its workers for the extra hours they worked.”
complex
“The committee found the lack of oversight to be disgraceful, noting that such negligence had directly led to the catastrophic failure of the infrastructure project.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'look', or 'seem'.
Etymology
From disgrace + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/disgraceful