uncomfortable

adjective

un·​com·​fort·​able

ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl,

-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-bəl,

-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-bəl 

-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-bəl,

-ˈkəm-fər-bəl,

-ˈkəm-fə-bəl

1

: causing discomfort or annoyance

an uncomfortable chair

an uncomfortable performance

2

: feeling discomfort : uneasy

was uncomfortable with them

uncomfortably

ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-blē

-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-blē

-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-blē 

-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-blē

-ˈkəm-fər-blē

-ˈkəm-fə-blē

adverb

Synonyms

• comfortless
• discomforting
• harsh

Examples of uncomfortable in a Sentence

You look uncomfortable in that chair. Would you like to sit here instead?

The silence went on so long that it became very uncomfortable.

We were in the uncomfortable position of asking for money.

I was uncomfortable about talking to them.

She's uncomfortable being in the spotlight.

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists ponder fighting climate change by making clouds brighter and thicker Common symptoms of pollen allergies Finding yourself uncomfortable after breathing in some fresh air? —USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

Say goodbye to uncomfortable and irritated skin, and hello to a happy and comfortable pup. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

An uncomfortable fact was that most of the concerned parents were white and the two counsellors under scrutiny were not: one of them, Hector Santos, is Latino, and the other, Delinda Dykes, is Black. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024

His addition seemed appropriately bizarre, dosing the audience with a fair amount of uncomfortable laughter. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024

The uncomfortable exchange ends up cutting Larry’s meet-and-greet with the Boss short, but not before a mix-up over their water glasses. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024

By bypassing the Beltway press and prioritizing other forms of media, Biden has been able to remain in contact with voters, while allowing the president to avoid being repeatedly pressed on uncomfortable topics such as his age. —Oliver Darcy, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024

In the Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, Carmichael documents the uncomfortable, awkward, and intimate parts of his life such as admitting to his infidelity to his boyfriend and searching for acceptance from his Christian mother. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024

Abrego’s collision with the Mexican Mafia underscores the uncomfortable and often unspoken relationship between Latino artists who rap about criminal activities and men who actually direct them. —Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

uncomfortable

adjective

un·​com·​fort·​able ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə(r)-bəl 

-ˈkəm(p)-fə(r)t-ə-bəl,

ˈən-

1

: causing discomfort

an uncomfortable chair

2

: feeling discomfort : uneasy

uncomfortably

-blē 

adverb