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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishExtremely bad or hateful — much stronger than just "bad."
Common pairings
abominable conditions
abominable behavior
the Abominable Snowman
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more abominable
- Superlative
- most abominable
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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."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for abominable
See all rhymes for abominable →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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