disgusting
Disgusting means something is so unpleasant that it makes you feel sick.
Explanation at your level:
Disgusting is a word for when something is very, very bad. If you see something gross, like old food or a dirty floor, you can say, 'That is disgusting!' It is a strong word, so only use it when you are really upset by how something looks or smells. Think of it as the opposite of 'delicious' or 'clean.'
You use disgusting to talk about things that make you feel sick. For example, if you find a hair in your soup, you can say, 'This soup is disgusting.' It is common to use it with 'really' or 'very' to show how much you dislike something. It is a very useful word for describing bad smells, dirty places, or mean actions.
At this level, you can use disgusting to describe both physical objects and situations. You might say, 'The conditions in the old house were disgusting,' or 'I think his behavior at the party was disgusting.' It is a strong adjective, so native speakers often pair it with intensifiers like 'absolutely' or 'utterly' to emphasize their point. Remember, it is a very negative word, so avoid using it for minor inconveniences.
Disgusting is a versatile adjective for expressing strong disapproval. Beyond physical revulsion, use it to critique moral or social issues. For instance, 'The level of corruption in the government is disgusting.' You will notice it is often used in debates or complaints. When you use it, you are making a clear statement about your values and your intolerance for the situation at hand.
In advanced English, disgusting acts as a powerful rhetorical tool. It is often employed to evoke a visceral reaction in the listener. In journalism or academic writing, it might describe 'disgusting practices' or 'disgusting inequality' to highlight the severity of a situation. It carries a sense of moral indignation that goes beyond mere dislike. Be mindful that its strength can be polarizing; it is a word that demands attention and signals that the speaker is deeply offended.
The term disgusting occupies a space between physical repulsion and ethical condemnation. Historically, it evolved from the concept of 'distaste,' but it has transcended its etymological roots to become a staple of emotive language. In literature, it is used to paint vivid, often grotesque, imagery. In high-level discourse, it serves as a marker of extreme disapproval, often used to frame a narrative of 'us versus them' or 'right versus wrong.' Mastery of this word involves knowing exactly when its intensity is appropriate—using it too lightly dilutes its impact, whereas using it in the right moment can be a decisive way to articulate your stance on a controversial issue.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Used for things that cause physical or moral revulsion.
- Stronger than 'bad' or 'unpleasant'.
- Commonly paired with 'absolutely' or 'utterly'.
- Can describe objects, smells, or behavior.
When you call something disgusting, you are expressing a very strong negative reaction. It is not just 'bad' or 'unpleasant'; it is something that makes you want to turn away or even feel physically sick.
Think of the feeling you get when you see something truly gross, like rotten food or a dirty bathroom. That is the core of disgusting. It can also be used for behavior, like someone being rude or cruel, which we might call 'morally disgusting.'
Because it is a strong word, use it carefully! If you call a boring movie 'disgusting,' people might be confused. Save it for things that are truly revolting or offensive.
The word disgusting comes from the verb 'disgust,' which entered English in the late 16th century. It is rooted in the Middle French word desgouter and the Italian disgustare.
The prefix dis- means 'away' or 'apart,' and gust comes from the Latin gustus, meaning 'taste.' So, literally, it meant 'to take away the taste' or 'to be distasteful.' Over time, the meaning shifted from just 'bad taste' to the much stronger feeling of revulsion we use today.
It is fascinating how a word about food and taste evolved to describe such a powerful emotional and moral reaction in modern English.
You will hear disgusting used in both casual and formal settings, though it is usually quite intense. In casual speech, it’s a go-to word for anything gross, like 'That smell is absolutely disgusting!'
In more formal or written contexts, it is often used to describe moral failings, such as 'The company’s treatment of its workers was truly disgusting.' Common intensifiers include 'absolutely,' 'utterly,' and 'totally.'
Be aware of the register: because it is so strong, using it too often can make you sound overly dramatic. It is best reserved for things that genuinely deserve such a powerful label.
While 'disgusting' is an adjective, it appears in many expressive phrases:
- Filthy rich: Sometimes used with disgust to describe extreme wealth.
- Makes my skin crawl: Describes something so disgusting you feel it physically.
- Turn my stomach: Used when something is so disgusting it makes you feel nauseous.
- A disgusting display: Often used in sports or politics for bad behavior.
- Sick to my stomach: Similar to the feeling of being disgusted by an event.
Disgusting is a standard adjective. It follows the pattern: be + disgusting or disgusting + noun. For example: 'The room was disgusting' or 'a disgusting smell.'
Pronunciation: In IPA, it is /dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ/. The stress is on the second syllable: dis-GUST-ing. Be careful not to swallow the 'g' sounds at the end; they should be crisp.
It rhymes with 'trusting' or 'adjusting.' It is a regular adjective, so it does not have a plural form, but it can be modified by adverbs like 'really' or 'very' to increase its impact.
Fun Fact
It literally means 'away from taste'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'dis' sound, strong 'GUST' stress.
Similar to UK, slightly flatter 'a' sound.
Common Errors
- missing the 'g' sound
- stressing the wrong syllable
- pronouncing it like 'dis-gus-ting'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The disgusting food.
Intensifiers
Absolutely disgusting.
Linking verbs
It smells disgusting.
Examples by Level
The old milk is disgusting.
old milk = bad
adjective after verb
That is disgusting!
that = the thing
demonstrative pronoun
The room is disgusting.
room = dirty
simple sentence
Don't touch it, it's disgusting.
don't touch = avoid
imperative
This food is disgusting.
food = not good
subject-verb-adj
It smells disgusting.
smells = odor
linking verb
I feel disgusting.
feel = sick
state of being
He is a disgusting man.
man = bad person
adjective before noun
The bathroom was absolutely disgusting.
I think smoking is disgusting.
That is a disgusting habit.
The smell from the bin is disgusting.
She said the movie was disgusting.
It is disgusting to treat people like that.
The water in the river looked disgusting.
I had a disgusting dream last night.
The working conditions were frankly disgusting.
I find his attitude toward women disgusting.
The state of the kitchen was truly disgusting.
It is disgusting how much food they waste.
The sight of the accident was disgusting.
He made a disgusting remark during the meeting.
The way they treat animals is disgusting.
I think it is disgusting to lie to your friends.
The sheer scale of the corruption is disgusting.
His behavior at the gala was nothing short of disgusting.
It is disgusting that they would charge so much for medicine.
The lack of empathy shown by the staff was disgusting.
I find the whole situation absolutely disgusting.
The media's coverage of the event was disgusting.
It is disgusting to see such blatant disregard for the law.
The public reaction to the news was quite disgusting.
The institutionalized cruelty in the facility was truly disgusting.
Her blatant exploitation of the vulnerable was disgusting.
The disgusting display of opulence amidst such poverty was shocking.
It is a disgusting irony that the savior became the oppressor.
The rhetoric used by the candidate was frankly disgusting.
I find the moral decay of the organization quite disgusting.
The disgusting nature of the crime left the jury speechless.
Such a disgusting abuse of power cannot go unpunished.
The visceral, disgusting reality of war is often sanitized in media.
His penchant for the grotesque was truly disgusting to behold.
The disgusting spectacle of the trial was a mockery of justice.
One cannot help but feel a sense of disgusting inevitability.
The narrative was filled with disgusting tropes and stereotypes.
It is a disgusting commentary on our society that this persists.
The sheer, disgusting audacity of his claim was breathtaking.
She described the scene with a disgusting level of detail.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"make one's skin crawl"
to feel disgusted
The thought of spiders makes my skin crawl.
casual"turn one's stomach"
to feel nauseous
The violence in the movie turned my stomach.
neutral"sick to one's stomach"
deeply disgusted
I was sick to my stomach after hearing the news.
neutral"a bitter pill to swallow"
something unpleasant to accept
The loss was a bitter pill to swallow.
neutral"leave a bad taste in one's mouth"
to feel disgusted after an event
The argument left a bad taste in my mouth.
neutral"the pits"
the worst
That place is the pits.
slangEasily Confused
Same root
Disgusted is the feeling; disgusting is the cause.
I am disgusted by the disgusting smell.
Similar meaning
Distasteful is milder.
That joke was distasteful.
Synonym
Gross is much more casual.
That is gross.
Synonym
Repulsive is more formal.
His behavior was repulsive.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + be + disgusting
The milk is disgusting.
Subject + find + object + disgusting
I find that disgusting.
It is disgusting + to + verb
It is disgusting to see that.
Adv + disgusting + noun
An absolutely disgusting smell.
Disgusting + enough + to + verb
It was disgusting enough to make me leave.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
7/10
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Disgusting is for gross things, not just lack of interest.
Disgusting is already a strong word; 'absolutely' is a better intensifier.
Use -ing for the thing, -ed for the person.
Calling a person 'disgusting' is a very serious insult.
Disgusting can sound too emotional for academic reports.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant 'GUST' of bad air hitting you.
When Native Speakers Use It
When they want to show strong moral disapproval.
Cultural Insight
It is a word that stops a conversation.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follows 'be' or comes before a noun.
Say It Right
Stress the GUST.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'very disgusting', use 'absolutely'.
Did You Know?
It comes from the same root as 'gusto' (enjoyment).
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence with a strong intensifier.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Dis-GUST-ing: If you have a GUST of wind in your face that smells bad, it is disgusting!
Visual Association
A person holding their nose in front of a pile of trash.
Word Web
Défi
Describe three things you find disgusting today.
Origine du mot
French/Latin
Original meaning: distasteful
Contexte culturel
Calling someone 'disgusting' is a major insult.
Used frequently in casual conversation to express strong dislike.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At dinner
- This food is disgusting.
- I can't eat this, it's disgusting.
At home
- The room is disgusting.
- Clean this up, it's disgusting.
In politics
- A disgusting display of power.
- The policy is disgusting.
Watching TV
- That scene was disgusting.
- I find his character disgusting.
Conversation Starters
"What is the most disgusting food you have ever tasted?"
"Do you think it is ever okay to call someone's behavior disgusting?"
"What is a disgusting habit that you really dislike?"
"Have you ever been to a place that you thought was disgusting?"
"How do you react when you see something disgusting?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you encountered something truly disgusting.
Describe a situation where someone's behavior was morally disgusting.
Why do we feel disgust? Is it a useful emotion?
Can a movie be disgusting without being scary?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsYes, but it is a very strong insult.
No, disgusting is about revulsion, not fear.
Use 'absolutely' or 'utterly'.
Only if describing a professional ethical issue.
Delightful, appealing, or pleasant.
No, it is an adjective.
Yes, 'The weather is disgusting' means it is very rainy/cold.
It comes from Latin 'gustus' (taste).
Teste-toi
The rotten food is ___.
Rotten food causes revulsion.
Which word means the same as disgusting?
Gross is a synonym for disgusting.
Disgusting is a positive word.
It is a very negative word.
Word
Signification
Matching synonyms.
Correct structure: The meal was absolutely disgusting.
Score : /5
Summary
Disgusting is a powerful adjective used to describe things that make you feel physically sick or morally offended.
- Used for things that cause physical or moral revulsion.
- Stronger than 'bad' or 'unpleasant'.
- Commonly paired with 'absolutely' or 'utterly'.
- Can describe objects, smells, or behavior.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant 'GUST' of bad air hitting you.
When Native Speakers Use It
When they want to show strong moral disapproval.
Cultural Insight
It is a word that stops a conversation.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follows 'be' or comes before a noun.
