Word
disgust
Phoneticsdis·gust, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪsˈɡəst/
UK/dɪsɡˈʌst/
Definitions
01strong dislike or revulsion
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a strong feeling of dislike or being grossed out by something.
n. a feeling of intense revulsion or strong disapproval aroused by something unpleasant or offensive. Uncountable in most contexts.
“He looked at the pile of rotting rubbish with total disgust.”
“The public expressed widespread disgust at the news that the company had been dumping toxic waste into the local river for years.”
Pitfall
She felt disgust for the way he treated her.
She felt disgust at the way he treated her.
While 'for' is sometimes used, 'at' or 'with' are the standard prepositions to describe the cause of the disgust.
Antonyms
02to cause revulsion
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make someone feel a strong sense of dislike or disapproval.
v. to provoke a feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval in someone. Transitive — requires a direct object.
“The smell of the old milk disgusted her so much she had to leave.”
“The blatant corruption within the department disgusted the young officer, eventually leading to his resignation from the force.”
Real-World Examples
“Comments online expressed disgust at the girls’ behaviour.” “Dogs will, for example, choose a box their human has identified with a happy expression over one the human treats with fear or disgust.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French desgouster, from Old French desgouster (“to put off one's appetite”), from des- (“dis-”) + gouster, goster (“to taste”), from Latin gustus (“a tasting”). By surface analysis, dis- + gust (“taste”). The noun is from Middle French desgoust, from the verb.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- 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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