# unpleasant

/ənˈpɫɛzənt/ (US) · /ʌnplˈɛzənt/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unpleasant
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

not nice or enjoyable. You use it to describe things that make you feel uncomfortable, unhappy, or slightly annoyed.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Commonly modifies nouns related to senses (smell, taste) or social situations (surprise, task).

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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.