Word
unpleasant
Phoneticsun·pleas·ant, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈpɫɛzənt/
UK/ʌnplˈɛzənt/
Definition
adj. not nice or enjoyable. You use it to describe things that make you feel uncomfortable, unhappy, or slightly annoyed.
adj. causing discomfort, dissatisfaction, or displeasure. Often used to describe sensory experiences or social interactions that are disagreeable without being extreme.
Examples
“The medicine has a very unpleasant taste.”
“We had to cancel our picnic because the weather turned cold and unpleasant.”
“The manager was forced to have an unpleasant conversation with the staff regarding the recent budget cuts and potential layoffs.”
Examples
simple
“The medicine has a very unpleasant taste.”
contextual
“We had to cancel our picnic because the weather turned cold and unpleasant.”
complex
“The manager was forced to have an unpleasant conversation with the staff regarding the recent budget cuts and potential layoffs.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “unpleasant” in context.
Verb
01. become unpleasant
“The atmosphere in the meeting became unpleasant when the budget was discussed.”
verb + adj
02. find unpleasant
“Many people find the sound of scratching a chalkboard extremely unpleasant.”
verb + adj
03. unpleasant to deal with
“He can be quite unpleasant to deal with when he is under stress.”
adj + prep + prep
Adjective
04. distinctly unpleasant
“There was a distinctly unpleasant smell coming from the basement.”
adv + adj
05. highly unpleasant
“The medicine has a highly unpleasant taste but it is very effective.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. unpleasant experience
“Being stuck in the elevator for an hour was a very unpleasant experience.”
adj + noun
07. unpleasant side effect
“Dizziness is a common but unpleasant side effect of this medication.”
adj + noun
08. unpleasant surprise
“The sudden increase in tax was an unpleasant surprise for many homeowners.”
adj + noun
09. leave an unpleasant taste
“The way the company treated its staff left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.”
10. make life unpleasant for
“The new neighbors are trying to make life unpleasant for everyone on the street.”
Usage
Commonly modifies nouns related to senses (smell, taste) or social situations (surprise, task).
Etymology
From Middle English unplesaunt, equivalent to un- + pleasant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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