adj

abominable

uh-BAHM-uh-nuh-bl

Abominable (adj) means Extremely unpleasant or disgusting; causing strong hatred or disapproval. Example: “The dictator's abominable crimes shocked the world.”

adj

Extremely unpleasant or disgusting; causing strong hatred or disapproval.

"The dictator's abominable crimes shocked the world."

"The weather was abominable all week — cold, wet, and windy."

How to use abominable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishExtremely bad or hateful — much stronger than just "bad."

Common pairings

abominable conditions abominable behavior the Abominable Snowman

Word forms

more abominable comparative, most abominable superlative

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The dictator's _____ crimes shocked the world.

Etymology

From Old French abominable, from Latin abominari, "to regard as an ill omen," from ab- + omen. Some writers used to spell it "abhominable," wrongly assuming it came from Latin homo ("man") — hence Shakespeare's joke about actors acting "abominably."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for abominable

able fable cable table viable liable stable tenable parable affable amiable notable

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Frequently asked questions

What does “abominable” mean?

The word “abominable” means extremely unpleasant or disgusting; causing strong hatred or disapproval. In plain terms, extremely bad or hateful — much stronger than just "bad.".

How do you pronounce “abominable”?

“Abominable” is pronounced uh-BAHM-uh-nuh-bl (/əˈbɑm.ə.nə.bl̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “abominable” in a sentence?

Here is “abominable” used in a sentence: “The dictator's abominable crimes shocked the world.”

What part of speech is “abominable”?

“Abominable” is an adjective.

Where does the word “abominable” come from?

The word “abominable” comes from Latin.

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Vocabulary lists that include abominable:

Words with Latin origins