disgusting
dihs-GUHS-tihng
Disgusting (adj) means causing a strong feeling of revulsion; repulsive. Example: “The milk had gone off and smelled disgusting.”
adj
1
Causing a strong feeling of revulsion; repulsive.
"a disgusting waste of money"
"The milk had gone off and smelled disgusting."
"What a disgusting mess he left in the kitchen!"
"One guy farted repeatedly and laughed out loud each time he let it out. To top off his disgusting behavior, he constantly picked his nose and thumped the waste in the air."
— C. Lee Thornton, Oath of Office (2006)
"The floor of the abandoned building was disgusting."
"But it is much more sensible and much more fun and much more disgusting to assume that the English Leather woman is really saying "All my men wear English leather or nothing at all."."
— P.J. Bednarski, Tis the season to be risque in TV spots (1975)
How to use disgusting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo unpleasant it makes you want to look away or recoil.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- disgustinger, more disgusting
- Superlative
- disgustingest, most disgusting
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The milk had gone off and smelled _____.
Etymology
From disgust plus -ing, describing something that causes that reaction.
Synonyms
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revolting
repulsive
repugnant
sickening
nauseating
gross
disgustful
foul
distasteful
loathsome
loathly
repellant
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for disgusting
See all rhymes for disgusting →Frequently asked questions
What does “disgusting” mean?
The word “disgusting” means causing a strong feeling of revulsion; repulsive. In plain terms, so unpleasant it makes you want to look away or recoil.
How do you pronounce “disgusting”?
“Disgusting” is pronounced dihs-GUHS-tihng (/dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “disgusting” in a sentence?
Here is “disgusting” used in a sentence: “The floor of the abandoned building was disgusting.”
What part of speech is “disgusting”?
“Disgusting” is an adjective.
Is “disgusting” a common word?
“Disgusting” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'disgusting' and 'disgusted'?
Disgusting describes something that causes revulsion, as in 'the smell was disgusting'. Disgusted describes the feeling a person has in response, as in 'I was disgusted by the smell', so the thing is disgusting and the person is disgusted.
What is the difference between 'disgusting' and 'revolting'?
The two are close synonyms and both mean causing a strong feeling of revulsion. Disgusting is the more everyday word, while revolting can sound slightly stronger or more formal, but in most contexts they are interchangeable.
Is 'disgusting' too strong or informal for formal writing?
Disgusting is a strong, emotive word that clearly signals revulsion, so it suits everyday speech and opinion writing. In formal or neutral writing, milder alternatives like unpleasant, unacceptable, or repugnant are often preferred to keep a measured tone.
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