English Reference
Noun

malaise

n.
C1 Advanced US /mæˈɫeɪz/ UK /mælˈeɪz/ malaise UK spelling malaises

n.a feeling of being physically or mentally tired and unhappy. It is a more formal word for a general sense of being 'down' or 'out of sorts'.

n.a state of physical or mental exhaustion or depression. Often used to describe a widespread sense of dissatisfaction or a lack of energy within a group or society.


SIMPLE

The team felt a general malaise after the long season.

CONTEXTUAL

The country's economic malaise led to a significant drop in consumer confidence and a rise in unemployment.

COMPLEX

The protagonist's deep-seated malaise is not merely a result of his personal failures but a reflection of the broader societal disillusionment that defines the novel's setting.

When we entered, the room was dimly lit—bright lights can induce post-exertional malaise, leaving her with painful migraines.

Smithsonian Magazine· 31 Aug 2026

According to WHO, symptoms can include fever, fatigue, malaise, muscle, pain, headache and sore throat.

The Guardian· 17 Aug 2026

From French malaise (“ill ease”), from mal- (“bad, badly”) + aise (“ease”). Compare ill at ease.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin French malaise
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated