adj

miserable

MIHZ-ruh-buhl

adj

Extremely unhappy, especially over a period of time.

"He felt miserable for weeks after losing his job."

"The dog looked miserable standing out in the rain."

Unpleasant, especially describing bad weather or conditions.

"It was a miserable, grey afternoon with sleet coming sideways."

Very poor in quality or amount.

"They were paid a miserable wage for backbreaking work."

How to Use Miserable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishVery unhappy, or (of weather/conditions) very unpleasant.

Common pairings

feel miserable miserable weather a miserable failure

more miserable comparative, miserables plural, most miserable superlative

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He felt _____ for weeks after losing his job.

From Latin miserabilis, based on miser ("wretched").

able fable cable table sable gable viable liable stable unable usable enable