WordGarden.iouncomfortable
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnkˈʌmftəbəl/
US
- /ənˈkəmfərtəbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
causing or feeling physical discomfort rather than ease
feeling or causing social or emotional unease, embarrassment, or tension
Beyond the definition
Have you ever been in a situation where you just didn't fit? Maybe you were at a party where you knew no one, or perhaps someone asked you a question you weren't prepared to answer. That feeling of being ill at ease, physically or emotionally, is what "uncomfortable" describes. It can be as simple as wearing shoes that are too tight, or as complex as grappling with a difficult truth.
Think about a time you had to give a speech in front of a crowd—your palms might sweat, your heart might race, and you'd likely feel very uncomfortable! Or imagine sitting on a park bench next to someone who's telling you way too much personal information—that's also uncomfortable. It can even describe situations where something feels morally wrong: "I felt deeply uncomfortable with his behavior."
"Uncomfortable" describes a state of physical or emotional unease, distress, or awkwardness. It's more than just being slightly annoyed—it implies a feeling that something is wrong or out of place.
Physically, "uncomfortable" can refer to things like tight clothing ("These shoes are terribly uncomfortable!"), an unpleasant temperature ("I'm uncomfortable in this heat."), or physical pain ("He was clearly uncomfortable after the injury."). It's about sensations that cause you to fidget, squirm, or wish for a change.
Emotionally, "uncomfortable" describes feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, awkwardness, or even moral conflict. You might feel uncomfortable discussing sensitive topics ("I felt uncomfortable bringing up his past."), witnessing injustice ("She was deeply uncomfortable with the discrimination she saw."), or being in an unfamiliar social situation ("He looked visibly uncomfortable at the formal dinner.").
The word can also be used to describe situations that create tension or friction. A politician might say, "I'm not comfortable answering that question," meaning they do not want to reveal information. Or a friend might say, "I felt really uncomfortable with how she was talking about her ex."
Essentially, if something makes you feel out of sorts, ill at ease, or like you need to escape the situation, it's likely making you uncomfortable. It signals that your boundaries are being pushed, your needs are not being met, or something just doesn't feel right.
Examples
- 1
Physical comfort
These shoes get uncomfortable if I wear them all day.
- 2
Cramped space
I felt uncomfortable sitting in the back seat with no legroom.
- 3
Personal questions
She looked uncomfortable when everyone started asking about her personal life.
- 4
Uneasy feeling
It makes me uncomfortable when people read over my shoulder.
- Patternmake someone uncomfortable
cause someone to feel uneasy
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Public speaking
He's uncomfortable with public speaking, so he kept his answer short.
- Patternuncomfortable with + thing/activity
not relaxed or confident about it
- 6
Sensitive topic
I'm uncomfortable talking about money with people I don't know well.
- Patternuncomfortable doing X
not feel okay doing it
- 7
Social silence
There was an uncomfortable silence after his joke.
- 8
Critical questions
The article asks some uncomfortable questions about how the company treats its workers.
See also
Similar
- uneasy
- ill at ease
- discomfited
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- feel uncomfortable
- make someone uncomfortable
- uncomfortable with
- uncomfortable silence
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- uncomfortableadjective