discomfort

American  

[dis-kuhm-fert] / dɪsˈkʌm fərt /

noun

1. an absence of comfort or ease; uneasiness, hardship, or mild pain.

2. anything that is disturbing to or interferes with comfort.

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verb (used with object)

1. to disturb the comfort or happiness of; make uncomfortable or uneasy.

discomfort British  

/ dɪsˈkʌmfət /

noun

1. an inconvenience, distress, or mild pain

2. something that disturbs or deprives of ease

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verb

1. (tr) to make uncomfortable or uneasy

Other Word Forms

• discomfortable adjective
• discomfortingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of discomfort

First recorded in 1300–50; (for the verb) Middle English discomforten “to discourage, pain,” from Anglo-French descomforter “to sadden, grieve”; equivalent to dis- ¹ + comfort; noun derivative of verb

Example Sentences

Allergy shots themselves can cause temporary swelling, itchiness and discomfort—and can be needed for years.

From The Wall Street Journal

While she was able to ski down to the bottom of the Swiss piste after her crash, she appeared to be in great discomfort from her left knee, stopping several times.

From Barron's

“Will you be able to endure the discomfort? I hesitate to leave you.”

From Literature

"As we age, our body's natural collagen production slows down, leading to signs of aging like wrinkles, sagging skin, and joint discomfort."

From Science Daily

"This is a dramatic film so it was quite an adjustment and discomfort at first."

From BBC

Related Words

• ache
• annoyance
• displeasure
• disquiet
• embarrassment
• hardship
• soreness
• trouble
• uneasiness
• unpleasantness