Uncomfortable — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl/ un·com·fort·able

Meaning & Definition of Uncomfortable

Uncomfortable (adjective)

  1. causing discomfort or annoyance
  2. feeling discomfort, uneasy

Uncomfortable (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. causing discomfort

    "unfortunately, dressing up for the dance meant wearing an uncomfortable shirt"

    similar: comfortless, discomforting, harsh
    related: aching, hurting, miserable, nasty, painful, sore, agonizing, excruciating, torturous, distressing, disturbing, upsetting, awkward, cumbersome, inconvenient, ungainly, uneasy, chafing, cramping, itching, pinching, pricking, prickling, smarting, stinging
    opposite: comfortable, comfy
    near: easy, soothing, cozy, cushy, snug, soft, easeful, relaxing, reposeful, restful

  2. causing embarrassment

    "the uncomfortable situation of running into an ex-friend at a social gathering"

    similar: awkward, discomfiting, disconcerting, disturbing, embarrassing, flustering
    related: confusing, difficult, disagreeable, impossible, inconvenient, intolerable, troublesome, unpleasant, unwieldy, unsettling, debasing, degrading, demeaning, humbling, humiliating, mortifying
    near: agreeable, comfortable, convenient, pleasing

  3. lacking social grace and assurance

    "a person who is uncomfortable at parties with lots of strangers"

    similar: awkward, clumsy, gauche, graceless, inelegant, rough-hewn, rustic, stiff, stilted, uneasy, ungraceful, wooden
    related: angular, gawky, lubberly, ungainly, boorish, clownish, uncouth, abashed, discomfited, discomforted, discomposed, disconcerted, discountenanced, embarrassed, self-conscious, agitated, bothered, chagrined, dismayed, disquieted, distressed, disturbed, fazed, flustered, jittery, jumpy, mortified, nervous, nonplussed, perturbed, rattled, unhinged, unsettled, upset, diffident, insecure, meek, modest, self-doubting, timid, unassertive, unassuming, unpretentious
    opposite: graceful, suave, urbane
    near: assured, calm, collected, composed, confident, cool, placid, poised, secure, self-assured, self-confident, self-possessed, serene, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Uncomfortable

The most common words with a similar meaning to Uncomfortable:

comfortless, discomforting, harsh, awkward, discomfiting, disconcerting, disturbing, embarrassing, flustering, clumsy, gauche, graceless, inelegant, rough-hewn, rustic, stiff, stilted, uneasy, ungraceful, wooden

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Uncomfortable

Words with the opposite meaning of Uncomfortable:

comfortable, comfy, graceful, suave, urbane

Related Words for Uncomfortable

aching, hurting, miserable, nasty, painful, sore, agonizing, excruciating, torturous, distressing, upsetting, cumbersome, inconvenient, ungainly, chafing, cramping, itching, pinching, pricking, prickling, smarting, stinging, confusing, difficult, disagreeable, impossible, intolerable, troublesome, unpleasant, unwieldy

Near Antonyms of Uncomfortable

easy, soothing, cozy, cushy, snug, soft, easeful, relaxing, reposeful, restful, agreeable, convenient, pleasing, assured, calm, collected, composed, confident, cool, placid, poised, secure, self-assured, self-confident, self-possessed, serene, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed

Word Forms of Uncomfortable

Derived words: uncomfortably (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Uncomfortable

First known use: 1573

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Uncomfortable

Frequently Asked Questions about Uncomfortable

What does "Uncomfortable" mean?

"Uncomfortable" means causing discomfort or annoyance. As an adjective, it is defined as: causing discomfort or annoyance. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Uncomfortable"?

Other words for "Uncomfortable" include comfortless, discomforting, harsh, awkward, discomfiting, disconcerting, disturbing and embarrassing. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Uncomfortable" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Uncomfortable"?

There are 99 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Uncomfortable". Common alternatives include comfortless, discomforting, harsh, awkward, discomfiting, disconcerting, disturbing, embarrassing, flustering and clumsy.

What is the opposite of "Uncomfortable"?

Antonyms of "Uncomfortable" include comfortable, comfy, graceful, suave and urbane. Near antonyms include easy, soothing, cozy and cushy.

How do you use "Uncomfortable" in a sentence?

Examples of "Uncomfortable" in a sentence: "unfortunately, dressing up for the dance meant wearing an uncomfortable shirt"; "the uncomfortable situation of running into an ex-friend at a social gathering"; "a person who is uncomfortable at parties with lots of strangers".

Is "Uncomfortable" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Uncomfortable" is an adjective.

Is "Uncomfortable" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Uncomfortable" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Uncomfortable"?

"Uncomfortable" is pronounced /ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl/ and divided into syllables as un·com·fort·able.