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REFERENCE

miserable

adj.
US //ˈmɪzɝəbəɫ// UK //mˈɪzɹəbəl// mis·er·able
  1. 1 very unhappy (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    feeling very sad, uncomfortable, or unhappy.

    experiencing great distress, discomfort, or unhappiness.

    Example

    He felt miserable after losing his job and stayed in bed all day.

    Example

    The refugees were living in miserable conditions, lacking basic access to clean water or adequate medical facilities.
  2. 2 bad weather (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    unpleasant weather that is usually cold, grey, and rainy.

    of weather conditions: extremely unpleasant, typically characterized by cold, dampness, and lack of sunlight.

    Example

    It was a miserable afternoon with constant rain and a cold wind.

    Example

    The hike was cancelled due to the miserable weather, as the thick fog made the mountain trails far too dangerous for the group.
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  1. 3 poor quality (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    very bad, small, or disappointing in amount or quality.

    contemptibly small, inadequate, or of very poor quality.

    Example

    The hotel offered a miserable breakfast of just one piece of dry toast.

    Example

    The company offered a miserable pay increase that failed to even match the current rate of inflation.
  2. 4 unpleasant person (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    always complaining or being unfriendly to others.

    characterised by a habitually sullen, grumpy, or complaining temperament.

    Example

    Don't be so miserable; try to enjoy the party for once.

    Example

    He has become a miserable old man who spends his afternoons shouting at the neighbourhood children for playing near his fence.
Origin

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

Word family

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