# malaise

/mæˈɫeɪz/ (US) · /mælˈeɪz/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/malaise
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

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'.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The team felt a general malaise after the long season.
- The country's economic malaise led to a significant drop in consumer confidence and a rise in unemployment.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.