misery
MIHZ-rih
Misery (noun) means a state of deep unhappiness, suffering, or distress. Example: “He sat alone in the rain, the very picture of misery.”
noun
1
A state of deep unhappiness, suffering, or distress.
"He sat alone in the rain, the very picture of misery."
"The refugees endured months of misery before finding shelter."
"She poured out all her misery in a long, tearful letter."
2
Something that causes great unhappiness, such as hardship or poverty.
"Hunger and cold were the daily miseries of life in the camp."
"Losing the farm brought one misery after another to the whole family."
"Constant debt was the family's greatest misery."
How to use misery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeep unhappiness or suffering, or something that causes it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
put someone out of their misery
a life of misery
sheer misery
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Word forms
- Plural
- miseries
Fill the gap
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He sat alone in the rain, the very picture of _____.
Etymology
From Latin miseria, from miser ("wretched").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for misery
See all rhymes for misery →Frequently asked questions
What does “misery” mean?
The word “misery” means a state of deep unhappiness, suffering, or distress. In plain terms, deep unhappiness or suffering, or something that causes it.
How do you pronounce “misery”?
“Misery” is pronounced MIHZ-rih (/ˈmɪz(ə)ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “misery” in a sentence?
Here is “misery” used in a sentence: “The refugees endured months of misery before finding shelter.”
What part of speech is “misery”?
“Misery” is a noun.
Where does the word “misery” come from?
The word “misery” comes from Latin. From Latin miseria, from miser ("wretched").
Is “misery” a common word?
“Misery” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “misery” have?
“Misery” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a state of deep unhappiness, suffering, or distress.
What is the difference between 'misery' and 'sadness'?
Sadness is a normal, often temporary emotion, while misery is a deeper, more prolonged state of unhappiness, suffering, or distress. Misery suggests intense or ongoing wretchedness, whereas sadness can be mild and passing.
What is the difference between 'misery' and 'suffering'?
Suffering emphasizes the experience of pain or hardship, often physical, while misery focuses on the emotional state of deep unhappiness that can result. A person may suffer physically and feel misery emotionally at the same time.
What are common expressions using 'misery'?
Common phrases include 'put someone out of their misery,' 'misery loves company,' and 'a life of misery.' Each draws on the word's core meaning of deep unhappiness or distress.
Is 'misery' countable or uncountable?
'Misery' is usually uncountable when it means a state of deep unhappiness, as in 'years of misery.' It becomes countable when referring to specific hardships that cause unhappiness, as in 'the miseries of war.'
