# unhappiness

/ənˈhæpinɪs/ (US) · /ʌnhˈæpɪnəs/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unhappiness
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the feeling of being sad or not satisfied with your life. It is the opposite of happiness.

For teachers: the state of being sad, miserable, or dissatisfied. Uncountable in its general sense; countable when referring to specific instances or types of distress.

## Examples

- She couldn't hide her unhappiness with the new rules.
- The survey aims to measure the level of unhappiness among employees who work long hours without breaks.
- While wealth can provide comfort, it is rarely a permanent shield against the deep-seated unhappiness that stems from a lack of purpose or social connection.

## Usage notes

- Often paired with the preposition 'about' or 'with' to indicate the cause of the feeling.

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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.