ENGLISH
REFERENCE

miserable

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈmɪzɝəbəɫ// UK //mˈɪzɹəbəl// mis·er·able Archaic General-service Informal

adj. feeling very unhappy, uncomfortable, or unlucky. You might feel this way if you are sick, lonely, or stuck in bad weather.

adj. characterised by intense unhappiness, discomfort, or poor conditions. Often used to describe a person's emotional state or an environment that causes distress.


SIMPLE

The cold rain made everyone feel miserable.

CONTEXTUAL

She spent a miserable week in bed with the flu while her friends were on vacation.

COMPLEX

The refugees lived in miserable conditions, facing both the harsh winter elements and a severe lack of basic medical supplies.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French miserable, from Old French, from Latin miserabilis, equivalent to miser + -able.

Usage

Commonly used to describe both internal emotions and external conditions like weather or poverty.

Pitfall

I am very miseryI am very miserableLearners often confuse the adjective 'miserable' with the noun 'misery'.

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