uncomfortable

adjective

un·​com·​fort·​able
ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl,
-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-bəl,
-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-bəl How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-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 How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-blē
-ˈkəm-fər-blē
-ˈkəm-fə-blē
adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Swimmer’s ear can be pretty uncomfortable: your ear canal fills up with a sticky discharge and may become smelly and painful, explains Hildrew. Julia Ries, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024 Ashley Johnson, special agent in charge of the FBI St. Louis Division, told people not to hesitate to report uncomfortable encounters with officers. Austin Mullen, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024 Maybe the Democrats have to embrace a Bernie Sanders-style disruption — something that will make people like me feel uncomfortable. David Brooks, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 How Painful Is Insertion? IUD insertion can be uncomfortable, but the pain level varies from person to person. Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for uncomfortable 

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncomfortable was in 1573

Dictionary Entries Near uncomfortable

Cite this Entry

“Uncomfortable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncomfortable. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncomfortable

adjective
un·​com·​fort·​able ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə(r)-bəl How to pronounce uncomfortable (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)-fə(r)t-ə-bəl,
ˈən-
1
: causing discomfort
an uncomfortable chair
2
: feeling discomfort : uneasy
uncomfortably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on uncomfortable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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