Word
distasteful
Phoneticsdis·taste·ful, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈsteɪstfəɫ/
UK/dɪstˈeɪstfəl/
Definition
adj. something that makes you feel unpleasant or morally wrong. You use this to describe things that are hard to look at or listen to.
adj. causing a feeling of strong disapproval or moral revulsion. Often used to describe sensory experiences or social behaviors that are unpleasant to the observer.
Examples
“The smell of the old trash was distasteful.”
“The politician's distasteful comments about his opponent were widely criticized by the media.”
“While the task was necessary for the project's completion, the distasteful nature of the work made it difficult for the team to maintain their morale.”
Examples
simple
“The smell of the old trash was distasteful.”
contextual
“The politician's distasteful comments about his opponent were widely criticized by the media.”
complex
“While the task was necessary for the project's completion, the distasteful nature of the work made it difficult for the team to maintain their morale.”
Real-World Examples
“And the idea that you would disparage people that have grown up in social housing, I think, is a little distasteful.” Etymology
From distaste + -ful or dis- + tasteful.
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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/distasteful