# uncomfortable

/ənˈkəmfɝtəbəɫ/ (US) · /ʌnkˈʌmftəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/uncomfortable
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. causing physical pain

adjective · CEFR B1

describing something that does not feel good to your body, like a hard chair or tight shoes.

For teachers: causing physical discomfort or mild pain due to poor design, fit, or environmental conditions.

- These new shoes are very uncomfortable and give me blisters if I walk too far.
- The budget airline's seats were notoriously uncomfortable, offering minimal legroom and almost no lumbar support for the six-hour flight.

### 2. feeling physical pain

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling slightly painful or not relaxed in your body.

For teachers: experiencing physical distress or a lack of ease.

- I felt uncomfortable sitting on the floor for such a long time.
- He became increasingly uncomfortable as the fever rose, finding it impossible to settle into a restful position despite the soft bedding.

### 3. socially awkward or worried

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling embarrassed, nervous, or worried in a social situation.

For teachers: experiencing mental unease, anxiety, or social awkwardness.

- There was an uncomfortable silence after he asked about her ex-husband.
- The candidate looked visibly uncomfortable when the interviewer began probing into the specific reasons for her sudden departure from her previous firm.

### 4. difficult to accept

adjective · CEFR B2

describing a fact or situation that makes you feel worried because it is hard to deal with.

For teachers: causing mental distress or moral unease because a situation is difficult to face or acknowledge.

- The documentary reveals some uncomfortable truths about how our clothes are made.
- The report presents an uncomfortable reality for the board, suggesting that their current strategy is no longer sustainable in the modern market.

## Examples

- This wooden chair is very uncomfortable to sit on.
- There was an uncomfortable silence in the room after he made that rude comment.
- The witness appeared increasingly uncomfortable under the prosecutor's relentless questioning, shifting in her seat and avoiding direct eye contact with the jury.

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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.