verb
Uncommon
disgust
dihs-GUHST
Disgust (verb) means to make someone feel strong dislike or revulsion. Example: “The smell from the bins disgusted everyone on the street.”
verb
1
To make someone feel strong dislike or revulsion.
"The smell from the bins disgusted everyone on the street."
"The sight of the rotten food in the fridge disgusted her completely."
"It disgusts me when people drop litter right beside a bin."
noun
1
A strong feeling of dislike or revulsion toward something unpleasant.
"She shook her head in disgust at the mess."
"He turned away in disgust when he saw the mouldy bread."
"Her face showed pure disgust at the smell coming from the drain."
How to use disgust
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong feeling of revulsion, or to cause that feeling in someone.
Common pairings
disgust at
in disgust
to one's disgust
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- disgusts
- Past tense
- disgusted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The smell from the bins _____ everyone on the street.
Etymology
From French desgouster, from des- ("dis-") plus gouster ("to taste"), from Latin gustus — literally meaning to "lose one's taste" for something.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “disgust” mean?
The word “disgust” means to make someone feel strong dislike or revulsion. In plain terms, a strong feeling of revulsion, or to cause that feeling in someone.
How do you pronounce “disgust”?
“Disgust” is pronounced dihs-GUHST (/dɪsˈɡʌst/ in IPA).
How do you use “disgust” in a sentence?
Here is “disgust” used in a sentence: “The smell from the bins disgusted everyone on the street.”
What is the opposite of “disgust”?
The opposite of “disgust” — its antonyms — are allure and attraction.
What part of speech is “disgust”?
Depending on how it is used, “disgust” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “disgust” come from?
The word “disgust” comes from Latin. From French desgouster, from des- ("dis-") plus gouster ("to taste"), from Latin gustus — literally meaning to "lose one's taste" for something.
Is “disgust” a common word?
“Disgust” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “disgust” have?
“Disgust” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make someone feel strong dislike or revulsion.
What is the difference between disgust and contempt?
Disgust is a strong feeling of dislike or revulsion, often triggered by something physically or morally unpleasant, while contempt is a feeling of superiority or scorn toward someone seen as lacking worth or respect. Disgust reacts to what something is, whereas contempt judges someone as beneath regard.
What prepositions are commonly used with disgust as a noun?
Disgust is typically followed by at or with, as in disgust at the smell or disgust with the decision, to specify what caused the reaction. Both prepositions are standard, though at is more common with sudden physical reactions.
Can disgust be used for moral reactions as well as physical ones?
Yes, disgust applies to both physical revulsion, such as disgust at spoiled food, and moral or ethical revulsion, such as disgust at dishonest behavior. The word covers reactions to anything perceived as offensive, whether sensory or ethical.
