# unbearably

/ənˈbɛɹəbɫi/ (US) · /ʌnbˈeəɹəbli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unbearably
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

in a way that feels too strong to handle. You use it when heat, pain, sadness or noise feels like too much.

For teachers: to an intolerable extent; beyond what can be endured. Often intensifies gradable adjectives such as 'hot', 'sad' or 'slow'.

## Examples

- The room feels unbearably hot today.
- The waiting room is unbearably crowded, so we step outside for fresh air.
- The silence in the house grew unbearably heavy after the argument, pressing on everyone until someone finally spoke.

## Pitfalls

- Not "an unbearable hot day" but "an unbearably hot day" — Use the -ly form before an adjective; 'unbearable' modifies nouns, 'unbearably' modifies adjectives.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed directly before the adjective or adverb it modifies.

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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.