disgust
Disgust is a strong feeling of dislike or revulsion toward something that seems gross or wrong.
Disgust is a feeling. It is a bad feeling. You feel it when you see something gross. For example, old milk smells bad. You feel disgust. You want to go away. It is not a happy feeling. It is a very strong feeling.
When something is very dirty or smells bad, you feel disgust. It is a natural reaction. You might say, 'I felt disgust when I saw the trash.' It is a noun. You can also use the verb 'to disgust' or the adjective 'disgusted.' It means you really do not like something.
Disgust describes a feeling of strong dislike. We often use it when we see something offensive. For instance, if someone is rude, you might express disgust at their behavior. It is often used with the preposition 'at' or 'with.' 'He looked at the scene in disgust.' It is a formal way to describe a very intense, negative reaction.
The noun disgust is used to describe a visceral reaction to something repulsive. It is not just about 'not liking' something; it is about a profound aversion. In professional or academic contexts, you might describe a 'public disgust' regarding a scandal. It is a powerful word that conveys a high level of moral or physical rejection.
In advanced English, disgust can be used to characterize a moral stance. When a society expresses disgust at an injustice, it implies a collective rejection of those values. The word carries weight and suggests that the subject is fundamentally incompatible with the speaker's standards. It is frequently paired with verbs like 'manifest' or 'evoke' to create a more sophisticated tone.
Historically, disgust has evolved from a purely gustatory term to a complex psychological state. In literature, it is often used to symbolize a character's internal conflict or a society's decay. It is a visceral, almost primal emotion that transcends simple dislike. When you use disgust, you are signaling a total withdrawal from the object of your attention, whether it be a physical pollutant or a moral transgression. Its usage in high-register English often requires careful placement to maintain the gravity of the sentiment being expressed.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Disgust is a strong feeling of dislike.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It can be physical or moral.
- It is a very strong emotion.
Hey there! Let's talk about disgust. It is one of the most powerful emotions we have. Think about the last time you saw something really gross—maybe a spider or a plate of rotten food. That 'yuck' feeling in your stomach? That is disgust in action.
It is not just about physical grossness, though. We also feel disgust when we see someone do something we think is morally wrong. It is our brain's way of saying, 'Stay away from that!' It is a protective mechanism that helps keep us safe from things that might make us sick or people who might hurt our community values.
The word disgust has a really interesting history! It comes from the Middle French word desgouster, which literally means 'to take away the taste.' If you trace it back even further to Latin, it combines dis- (meaning 'away') and gustus (meaning 'taste').
So, originally, it was all about food. If you had disgust, it meant your taste buds were offended and you couldn't stand to eat something. Over the centuries, the meaning expanded. By the 16th century, it wasn't just about food anymore; it became a general term for any kind of strong dislike or aversion to something offensive.
You will hear disgust used in many ways. In casual conversation, we often say things like, 'I looked at the mess in disgust.' It is a very common noun used to describe a reaction to bad behavior or poor hygiene.
In more formal writing, you might see phrases like 'expressed his disgust at the policy.' It is a strong word, so use it carefully! If you say you are 'disgusted' by something, people know you are very serious about your disapproval. It is much stronger than just saying you 'don't like' something.
Idioms help us express disgust even more vividly. 1. Turn one's stomach: This means something is so gross it makes you feel physically sick. 2. Sick to one's stomach: Feeling intense disgust or anxiety. 3. Look daggers: Giving someone a look of pure disgust or anger. 4. Hold one's nose: Used when you have to deal with something unpleasant. 5. Wash one's hands of: To show disgust by refusing to be involved with something anymore.
Grammatically, disgust is an uncountable noun. We don't usually say 'a disgust' or 'disgusts.' We use it with verbs like 'express,' 'show,' or 'feel.' The stress is on the second syllable: dis-GUST.
In IPA, it is /dɪsˈɡʌst/. It rhymes with 'must,' 'trust,' and 'crust.' It is a very straightforward word to pronounce, but make sure you hit that 'G' sound clearly!
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'gusto', which means enjoyment!
Pronunciation Guide
- soft g sound
- stressing the first syllable
- swallowing the final t
Difficulty Rating
easy to read
easy to use
easy to say
easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
disgust
Verb-Noun Collocations
express disgust
Prepositional Phrases
in disgust
Examples by Level
The food was bad, I felt disgust.
food/bad/disgust
noun usage
He looked at the mud in disgust.
looked/mud/disgust
prepositional phrase
I have disgust for that smell.
have/disgust/smell
simple sentence
She showed her disgust.
showed/disgust
verb-noun
Disgust is a strong feeling.
disgust/feeling
subject
Do not show disgust.
do not/show/disgust
imperative
The smell caused disgust.
smell/caused/disgust
causative
I felt pure disgust.
felt/pure/disgust
adjective modifier
He turned away in disgust.
The sight filled me with disgust.
She could not hide her disgust.
They expressed disgust at the news.
The room was a source of disgust.
He spoke with disgust in his voice.
I felt a wave of disgust.
They watched the scene with disgust.
The public expressed their disgust at the corruption.
He looked at the mess with sheer disgust.
She left the room in disgust.
The smell was enough to cause disgust.
They were united in their disgust for the plan.
He realized his own disgust was justified.
The politician faced widespread disgust.
She couldn't mask her disgust at his lies.
The sheer level of disgust was palpable in the room.
He viewed the entire situation with profound disgust.
The article was written in a tone of moral disgust.
She struggled to contain her disgust during the meeting.
Their actions provoked a sense of national disgust.
He turned from the sight in utter disgust.
The report details the public's disgust with the system.
There is a deep-seated disgust for such behavior.
The sheer scale of the scandal evoked universal disgust.
He articulated his disgust with a calm, chilling precision.
The narrative is steeped in a sense of existential disgust.
Her reaction was one of pure, unadulterated disgust.
The policy change met with immediate and vocal disgust.
He was overcome by a sudden, overwhelming sense of disgust.
The author describes the scene with visceral disgust.
The collective disgust of the community forced a resignation.
The philosophical implications of such disgust are profound.
He viewed the decay of the city with a detached, clinical disgust.
The poem captures the nuances of moral and physical disgust.
Her critique was underscored by a deep, unwavering disgust.
The societal disgust toward the act was unprecedented.
He navigated the complex landscape of his own disgust.
The text explores the intersection of beauty and disgust.
It was a manifestation of the deep-seated disgust he harbored.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"turn one's stomach"
to cause intense disgust
The smell of the garbage turned my stomach.
casual"sick to one's stomach"
feeling intense disgust or anxiety
I was sick to my stomach after seeing that.
casual"hold one's nose"
to accept something unpleasant
I had to hold my nose and finish the job.
casual"look daggers"
to look with intense anger or disgust
She looked daggers at him all night.
casual"wash one's hands of"
to stop being involved due to disgust
I wash my hands of this whole mess.
neutral"leave a bad taste in one's mouth"
to cause a feeling of lingering disgust
That argument left a bad taste in my mouth.
neutralEasily Confused
similar meaning
distaste is milder
He ate with distaste vs. he felt disgust.
same root
adjective vs noun
The food is disgusting (adj) vs. I felt disgust (noun).
same root
feeling vs cause
I am disgusted (feeling) vs. it is disgusting (cause).
general term
disgust is much stronger
I dislike rain vs. I feel disgust at the smell.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + feel + disgust + at/with + object
I feel disgust at his behavior.
Subject + express + disgust
She expressed her disgust.
Subject + walk away + in + disgust
He walked away in disgust.
It + disgust + me
It disgusts me to see this.
Subject + be + filled with + disgust
He was filled with disgust.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
-
using as a countable noun
→
uncountable
don't say 'a disgust'
-
confusing with disgustful
→
disgusting
disgustful is not standard
-
using as a verb in present tense
→
it disgusts me
must follow subject-verb agreement
-
confusing with distaste
→
check context
distaste is milder
-
mispronouncing the G
→
hard G
it is /ɡ/, not /dʒ/
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant 'GUST' of wind blowing trash at you.
When Native Speakers Use It
When something is morally wrong.
Cultural Insight
Used in news to describe public outrage.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'in' + disgust.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't make it plural.
Did You Know?
It shares a root with gusto.
Study Smart
Use it in a journal entry.
Synonym Power
Use revulsion for formal essays.
Context Matters
It's a strong word, don't use it for minor dislikes.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Dis-GUST: If you have a bad GUST of wind that smells, you feel disgust.
Visual Association
A person holding their nose while looking at a pile of trash.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use the word 'disgust' in a sentence about a bad movie.
Word Origin
Middle French
Original meaning: to take away the taste
Cultural Context
Can be a very strong word; don't use it lightly in polite company.
Used frequently in media to describe public reaction to scandals.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- showed disgust at cheating
- felt disgust at the mess
- expressed disgust
at work
- disgust at the policy
- expressed disgust
- professional disgust
traveling
- disgust at the dirt
- looked in disgust
- felt disgust
daily life
- smell caused disgust
- walked away in disgust
- filled with disgust
Conversation Starters
"What is something that always fills you with disgust?"
"Do you think disgust is a useful emotion?"
"Can you describe a time you felt disgust?"
"How do you show disgust politely?"
"Is it ever okay to express disgust openly?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt disgust.
Describe a situation that would cause disgust.
How does disgust affect your decisions?
Compare disgust to other emotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it can be a verb (e.g., 'That disgusts me').
No, it is uncountable.
Disgust is usually a reaction to something repulsive; hate is a long-term feeling.
No, it can be moral.
dɪs-GUST.
Yes, it is very strong.
Yes, it is common for food.
Disgusting or disgusted.
Test Yourself
The smell was bad, I felt ___.
disgust is the feeling of dislike
Which word means the same as disgust?
revulsion is a synonym
Disgust is a countable noun.
it is uncountable
Word
Meaning
matching noun and adjective
he walked away in disgust
Score: /5
Summary
Disgust is a powerful, visceral reaction to things that are offensive or repulsive.
- Disgust is a strong feeling of dislike.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It can be physical or moral.
- It is a very strong emotion.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant 'GUST' of wind blowing trash at you.
When Native Speakers Use It
When something is morally wrong.
Cultural Insight
Used in news to describe public outrage.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'in' + disgust.
