discomfort
Americannoun
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an absence of comfort or ease; uneasiness, hardship, or mild pain.
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anything that is disturbing to or interferes with comfort.
verb (used with object)
noun
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an inconvenience, distress, or mild pain
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something that disturbs or deprives of ease
verb
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Despite any discomfort parents may feel about their finances, “avoiding conversations altogether can create more confusion and anxiety for them,” Intuit’s Zaasada said.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026
While the stories are familiar to many, Theatre Obscura increases the levels of discomfort.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
From the start, Estevao attracted attention - and discomfort.
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
In damaged tissue, pain-sensing nerves often extend into areas where they do not typically belong, increasing discomfort.
From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026
“Pardon me, Miss Lumley. Are you suffering from indigestion? If so, please keep your discomfort to yourself.”
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
