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disgusting

B1 Adjective #21 most common 14 min read

disgusting

Top 21

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips disgusting in 30 Seconds

Explanation disgusting in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'disgusting' is a very useful word to talk about things you really do not like. Think about food that tastes very bad or a place that is very dirty. If you see a bug in your soup, you can say, 'That is disgusting!' It is a strong way to say 'I don't like this.' You can use it for smells, tastes, and things you see. It is easy to remember because it describes a big feeling. Just remember: 'disgusting' is for the thing (the food), and 'disgusted' is for you (how you feel). At this level, focus on using it for simple things like old milk, dirty socks, or bad smells. It helps you express your feelings clearly without needing many other words. You might also hear people say 'gross,' which is a similar but easier word. However, 'disgusting' is the word you will see in books and hear on TV most often. Practice saying it with a bit of a face that shows you don't like something—this helps people understand you even better! When you learn this word, you can start to talk about your preferences more strongly. Instead of just saying 'I don't like this pizza,' you can say 'This pizza is disgusting!' if it is really bad. This shows you have more vocabulary to describe your world. Remember to use 'is' or 'are' with it: 'The trash is disgusting' or 'The toilets are disgusting.' It is a simple but powerful tool for your English.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'disgusting' to describe more than just bad food. You can use it to talk about situations or habits that are very unpleasant. For example, if someone never washes their hands, you might say, 'That is a disgusting habit.' You are moving from just talking about physical things to talking about how people act. You can also start using adverbs like 'really' or 'very' with it, although 'absolutely' is even better. At this level, you should be careful not to use it for everything. If something is just 'a little bad,' don't use 'disgusting.' Use it for things that truly make you feel bad or sick. You will also see this word in stories or news reports. For example, a story might describe a 'disgusting old house' that no one wants to live in. This helps you build a picture in your mind. You can also use it in the negative: 'It's not disgusting, it's just different.' This is a good way to show you are thinking about other cultures or ideas. Practice using it in sentences like 'I think smoking is disgusting' or 'The smell of the city was disgusting today.' These sentences help you connect the word to your own opinions and experiences. By the end of A2, you should feel comfortable using 'disgusting' to describe physical things and some simple behaviors.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'disgusting' with more nuance. You can use it to describe moral issues, not just physical ones. For example, if you hear about a company that is lying to its customers, you can say, 'That is disgusting behavior.' This shows you understand that 'disgusting' can be about right and wrong, not just about smells and tastes. You should also be comfortable using it with a wider range of adverbs, like 'totally,' 'utterly,' or 'completely.' At this level, you should also be aware of the difference between 'disgusting' and 'disgusted.' You should be able to say, 'I was disgusted by the disgusting conditions in the hospital.' This shows a higher level of grammatical control. You might also start to notice how the word is used in more formal contexts, like in a letter of complaint. If you stay in a hotel that is very dirty, you might write, 'The state of the room was disgusting.' This is a very effective way to show how unhappy you are. You can also use it to discuss social issues, like 'It is disgusting how much food people waste.' This helps you participate in more complex conversations about the world around you. At B1, 'disgusting' becomes a tool for expressing strong ethical and personal opinions.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'disgusting' and its synonyms with precision. You should know when to use 'disgusting' versus 'revolting,' 'repulsive,' or 'vile.' For instance, you might use 'vile' to describe a particularly evil person or action, and 'nauseating' to describe something that literally makes you feel sick. You can also use 'disgusting' in more complex sentence structures, such as 'What I found most disgusting was the way they ignored the problem.' This shows you can use the word as part of a sophisticated argument. You should also be aware of the cultural context of the word. What is considered 'disgusting' in one culture might be normal in another, and being able to discuss this shows a high level of cultural and linguistic competence. You can use the word to critique art, literature, or film, describing a 'disgusting scene' that was intended to shock the audience. At this level, you should also be able to recognize when 'disgusting' is being used hyperbolically (as an exaggeration) and when it is meant literally. This helps you understand the speaker's true intent and tone. Your use of the word should feel natural and well-integrated into your overall vocabulary, showing that you can handle strong emotions and critical judgments in English.

At the C1 level, your use of 'disgusting' should be highly sophisticated. You can use it to explore the psychological and philosophical aspects of disgust. For example, you might discuss the 'disgusting' nature of certain political ideologies or the 'visceral disgust' felt by a character in a novel. You should be able to use the word in academic or professional writing to provide a powerful, yet controlled, critique. Instead of just saying something is 'disgusting,' you might describe it as 'morally disgusting' or 'aesthetically disgusting,' adding a layer of specific analysis. You should also be adept at using the word's family members, like 'disgustedly' (adverb) or 'disgust' (noun), in varied and complex ways. For example, 'He turned away disgustedly' or 'The proposal was met with a wave of disgust.' You should also be able to identify and use idioms or common collocations that involve disgust, such as 'to be sickened with disgust.' At this level, you are not just using the word to express a feeling; you are using it to build a detailed and persuasive narrative or argument. You understand the power of the word to evoke a physical response in your reader or listener and you use that power strategically. Your vocabulary is broad enough that you only use 'disgusting' when it is the most effective word possible, showing a mastery of tone and register.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'disgusting' and the entire spectrum of related concepts. You can use the word with extreme subtlety, perhaps using it ironically or to explore the 'beauty in the disgusting' in an artistic context. You understand the deep etymological roots of the word and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You can engage in high-level debates about the evolutionary purpose of disgust and use the word 'disgusting' as a precise term in psychology or sociology. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use it in poetry, complex prose, or high-stakes oratory to achieve specific emotional effects. You are also aware of the most obscure synonyms and can use them to create exactly the right shade of meaning. For example, you might choose 'loathsome' or 'abominable' over 'disgusting' to evoke a more archaic or biblical tone. You can also analyze the use of 'disgusting' in media and propaganda, understanding how it is used to dehumanize groups of people or to manipulate public opinion. At this level, 'disgusting' is just one of many tools in your vast linguistic toolkit, and you use it with absolute precision, creativity, and awareness of its profound impact.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

disgusting in 30 Seconds

Disgusting is a strong adjective used to describe things that are extremely unpleasant, foul-smelling, or morally offensive to the point of causing revulsion.
It can be used for physical sensations like taste and smell, as well as for judging human behavior and social situations that are considered wrong.
The word is more intense than 'bad' or 'unpleasant' and often implies a physical reaction, such as feeling sick or wanting to turn away.
Grammatically, it is the cause of the feeling, while 'disgusted' is the feeling itself. It is often paired with intensifiers like 'absolutely' or 'utterly'.

The word disgusting is a powerful adjective used to describe something that causes a strong feeling of dislike or physical sickness. It is most commonly associated with our senses—sight, smell, and taste—but it also extends into the realm of human behavior and morality. When you call something disgusting, you are not just saying you dislike it; you are saying it is repulsive or offensive to your very core. This word carries a heavy emotional weight, signaling a visceral reaction of rejection. In everyday life, you might use it to describe food that has gone bad, a room that is incredibly messy and dirty, or a smell that makes you want to cover your nose and run away. However, its application in social and moral contexts is equally frequent. For instance, if someone treats another person with extreme cruelty or lies in a way that causes great harm, their actions are often described as disgusting. This dual nature—physical and moral—makes it a versatile but intense word in the English language. Understanding the nuance of when to use it is crucial, as it is a strong term that can be seen as quite harsh or even rude if used in the wrong context. It is not a word for mild dislike; it is a word for total revulsion. In the following sections, we will explore the various layers of this word, from its sensory roots to its ethical implications, ensuring you can use it accurately and effectively in your communication.

Sensory Revulsion: This refers to things that trigger a physical 'ick' factor, such as the smell of rotting garbage or the sight of a cockroach in a kitchen. It is an evolutionary response designed to keep us away from pathogens.

The smell coming from the abandoned refrigerator was absolutely disgusting.

Moral Indignation: This usage describes behavior that violates social norms or ethical standards. Examples include cheating, exploitation, or extreme selfishness. It suggests that the behavior is 'sickening' to the conscience.

It is disgusting how some companies profit from child labor.

Furthermore, the word 'disgusting' is often paired with intensifiers like 'absolutely,' 'utterly,' or 'completely' to emphasize the degree of revulsion. In British English, you might also hear 'bloody disgusting' in informal, frustrated contexts, though this is quite strong. In American English, 'gross' is a common, slightly less formal synonym used frequently by younger generations. However, 'disgusting' remains the standard for both formal and informal descriptions of high-level unpleasantness. When writing, consider the impact this word will have on your reader. It evokes a physical reaction, often making the reader feel a slight sense of nausea or anger. This makes it an excellent choice for descriptive writing or persuasive essays where you want to condemn a specific practice or describe a vivid, unpleasant scene. For example, in a critique of a poorly maintained public space, using 'disgusting' to describe the conditions can effectively convey the urgency of the need for improvement. In contrast, in a casual conversation about food you didn't like, 'disgusting' might be seen as an exaggeration unless the food was truly inedible or spoiled. Always weigh the severity of the situation against the strength of the word.

The way he spoke to his mother was disgusting and showed a total lack of respect.

Visual Disgust: Relates to things that are visually unappealing, often involving filth, decay, or gore. It is the primary way the word is used in horror movies or crime scene descriptions.

The bathroom in the train station was disgusting, with water leaking everywhere.

I find the idea of eating insects disgusting, though I know it is common in some cultures.

Using the word disgusting correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as an adjective and its emotional intensity. It typically follows a linking verb like 'is', 'was', 'looks', 'smells', or 'tastes', or it can precede a noun to modify it directly. Because it is a 'non-gradable' adjective in many contexts (meaning something is either disgusting or it isn't), we often use it with 'absolute' adverbs. You wouldn't usually say something is 'very disgusting'—though people do—instead, 'absolutely disgusting' or 'totally disgusting' are more natural and impactful. This section will guide you through the various sentence structures where 'disgusting' fits perfectly, helping you to express your revulsion with precision. Whether you are describing a physical sensation or a moral judgment, the placement of the word and the choice of accompanying adverbs can significantly alter the tone of your sentence. We will look at how it functions in simple descriptions, complex comparative structures, and emphatic exclamations.

Attributive Use: When the adjective comes before the noun. This is used to define the noun as inherently repulsive. Example: 'The disgusting habit of biting one's nails.'

He had to clean up the disgusting mess left by the previous tenants.

Predicative Use: When the adjective follows a linking verb. This is the most common way to express a reaction to something. Example: 'That movie was disgusting.'

The taste of the medicine was disgusting, but it helped me get better.

In more formal writing, 'disgusting' can be used to provide a strong critique of policies or events. In these cases, it is often paired with 'it is' as a dummy subject. For example, 'It is disgusting that such poverty exists in a wealthy nation.' This structure allows the speaker to place the emphasis on the moral judgment itself. In contrast, in informal speech, 'disgusting' is often shortened to 'disgusto' (slang) or replaced by 'gross'. However, 'disgusting' remains the most versatile. You can also use it in a comparative sense, though it is less common: 'This room is even more disgusting than the last one.' When using it to describe people, be extremely careful. Calling a person 'disgusting' is a severe personal insult and can lead to significant conflict. It is usually better to describe their *actions* as disgusting rather than the person themselves. This subtle shift can make your criticism feel more objective and less like a personal attack, even though the sentiment remains strong.

The level of corruption revealed in the report was truly disgusting.

Exclamatory Use: Used alone or in short phrases to show immediate reaction. Example: 'Disgusting! Put that away!'

'That is disgusting!' she cried, looking at the moldy bread.

The smell of the swamp was disgusting but familiar.

The word disgusting is ubiquitous in English-speaking cultures, appearing in everything from high-stakes political debates to casual playground insults. In the media, you will often hear news anchors or commentators use it to describe shocking crimes or scandals. For example, a report on a massive environmental disaster might describe the 'disgusting state of the local rivers.' In entertainment, specifically in reality TV shows like 'Kitchen Nightmares' or 'Fear Factor,' the word is used constantly to describe unhygienic conditions or extreme food challenges. It serves as a linguistic 'red flag,' immediately signaling to the audience that what they are seeing is beyond the pale of normal acceptability. In daily life, parents use it to teach children about hygiene ('Don't touch that, it's disgusting!'), and friends use it to share stories about bad dates or terrible meals. It is a word that bridges the gap between the physical and the social, making it an essential part of the English vocabulary for expressing strong disapproval.

News and Politics: Used to condemn actions that are considered morally reprehensible. Politicians often use it to attack the policies or behavior of their opponents.

The senator called the new tax proposal disgusting and unfair to the poor.

Food and Dining: Commonly heard in restaurant reviews or when someone encounters spoiled food. It is the ultimate negative review for a dish.

The critic described the overcooked fish as disgusting and inedible.

In the world of social media, 'disgusting' is a frequent flyer in comment sections. It is used to react to everything from controversial opinions to videos of people behaving badly in public. Because social media often amplifies emotional reactions, 'disgusting' becomes a go-to word for expressing outrage. However, this high frequency of use can sometimes lead to 'semantic bleaching,' where the word starts to lose some of its original power because it is applied to things that are merely annoying rather than truly revolting. For a learner, it is important to observe how native speakers use the word to gauge its true weight. Listen for the intonation—often, the first syllable 'dis-' is heavily stressed to show the speaker's intense feeling. In literature, authors use 'disgusting' to create atmosphere or to characterize a villain. A character who finds everything 'disgusting' might be seen as elitist or overly sensitive, while a character who is described as 'disgusting' is immediately established as someone the reader should dislike.

The smell of the old, damp basement was disgusting to her refined senses.

Health and Hygiene: Doctors or health inspectors might use the word to describe unsanitary conditions that could lead to disease.

The inspector found disgusting levels of bacteria on the cutting boards.

It was disgusting to see how much food was wasted at the party.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with the word disgusting is confusing it with its related adjective, 'disgusted'. This is a common pattern in English with adjectives ending in '-ing' and '-ed' (like boring/bored, exciting/excited). The '-ing' form, 'disgusting', describes the *cause* of the feeling—the thing that is gross or offensive. The '-ed' form, 'disgusted', describes the *person* who feels that way. If you say 'I am disgusting,' you are calling yourself a gross person! Unless that is your intention, you should say 'I am disgusted.' Another mistake is using 'disgusting' for things that are merely 'bad' or 'unpleasant'. Because it is such a strong word, using it to describe a slightly cold cup of coffee or a boring movie can make you sound dramatic or hyperbolic. It is important to match the intensity of the word to the situation. We will also discuss the incorrect use of intensifiers and the confusion with similar-sounding words in this section.

-ing vs. -ed Confusion: Mistake: 'I felt very disgusting after seeing the trash.' Correct: 'I felt very disgusted...' or 'The trash was disgusting.'

She was disgusted by the disgusting behavior of the crowd.

Overuse/Hyperbole: Using 'disgusting' for minor inconveniences. Example: 'The wait for the bus was disgusting.' Better: 'The wait for the bus was annoying.'

It's not just bad; it's disgusting how they treat their pets.

Another common error involves the preposition that follows 'disgusted'. While 'disgusting' doesn't usually take a preposition, 'disgusted' does. You are 'disgusted *by*' or 'disgusted *at*' something. Using 'disgusted with' is also common and acceptable. However, saying 'disgusted to' is usually incorrect unless followed by a verb (e.g., 'I was disgusted to hear the news'). Additionally, some learners confuse 'disgusting' with 'discussing'. While they sound somewhat similar, their meanings are entirely different. 'Discussing' is the act of talking about something, while 'disgusting' is a description of something repulsive. Pronunciation is key here: 'disgusting' has a hard 'g' sound and ends in '-ing', while 'discussing' has a soft 'ss' sound. Finally, be careful with the spelling. It is 'disgusting' with one 's' in the middle and a 'u' after the 'g'. Common misspellings include 'disgusting' or 'disgusting' (missing the 'u').

The disgusting smell made it hard to continue the meeting.

Spelling and Pronunciation: Mistake: 'disgusting' or 'disgusing'. Correct: 'disgusting'. Pronunciation: /dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ/.

We were discussing the disgusting conditions of the factory.

It is disgusting to see so much litter in the park.

English is rich with synonyms for disgusting, each with its own specific nuance and level of intensity. Choosing the right one can make your writing more vivid and your speech more precise. For example, 'gross' is the most common informal alternative, widely used in American English. 'Revolting' and 'repulsive' are slightly more formal and suggest a physical desire to turn away. 'Vile' is a very strong word often used for moral corruption. 'Nauseating' specifically highlights the feeling of being sick to your stomach. On the other hand, 'unpleasant' or 'distasteful' are much milder and can be used when 'disgusting' would be too strong. Understanding these alternatives allows you to 'dial up' or 'dial down' your level of disapproval depending on the situation. In this section, we will compare 'disgusting' with its closest relatives and provide examples of when to use each one.

Gross vs. Disgusting: 'Gross' is informal and often used by children and teenagers. 'Disgusting' is more standard and carries more weight in serious discussions.

'That's so gross!' he said, pointing at the bug. vs. 'The conditions in the prison were disgusting.'

Revolting vs. Disgusting: 'Revolting' often implies a more active sense of rebellion or physical turning away. It is very similar but can feel slightly more descriptive of the reaction.

The smell of the decaying meat was revolting.

When looking for antonyms, words like 'delicious', 'delightful', 'pleasant', and 'attractive' come to mind. However, because 'disgusting' is such an extreme word, its true opposite is often something like 'wholesome' or 'pure', especially in a moral context. In terms of food, 'appetizing' is the direct opposite of 'disgusting'. Using these opposites can help clarify your meaning by providing a contrast. For example, 'The meal was far from appetizing; in fact, it was disgusting.' This structure uses the antonym to set up the expectation and then shatters it with the strong adjective. We also have words like 'offensive' or 'objectionable' which are useful in professional or academic settings where 'disgusting' might feel too emotional. 'Offensive' is particularly useful when talking about language or jokes that are socially unacceptable. 'Objectionable' is even more formal, often used in legal or administrative contexts to describe behavior that should not be allowed.

The movie's violence was not just graphic; it was vile.

Foul vs. Disgusting: 'Foul' is often used specifically for bad smells or bad weather. 'A foul odor' is a common collocation.

The air in the cave was foul and hard to breathe.

His disgusting comments were met with stony silence.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word originally referred only to the sense of taste. It wasn't until the 1600s that it started being used for moral or social disapproval.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ/

US /dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ/

dis-GUST-ing

Rhymes With

trusting adjusting busting rusting dusting thrusting lusting encrusting

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'discussing' (missing the 'g' sound).
Putting the stress on the first syllable: DIS-gusting.
Forgetting the 'u' sound in the middle.
Pronouncing the 'ing' as 'ink'.
Making the 's' sound like a 'z'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Common word, easy to recognize in context.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct spelling and understanding of -ing/-ed difference.

Speaking 3/5

Requires correct stress and intonation to convey emotion.

Listening 2/5

Easy to hear, though can be confused with 'discussing'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

bad dirty smell taste feel

Learn Next

revolting repulsive vile nauseating disgust

Advanced

visceral abhorrent loathsome repugnant

Grammar to Know

Participial Adjectives

Disgusting (cause) vs. Disgusted (feeling).

Non-gradable Adjectives

Using 'absolutely' instead of 'very' with disgusting.

Linking Verbs

It smells disgusting (not 'smells disgustingly').

Attributive Position

The disgusting trash (adjective before noun).

Predicative Position

The trash is disgusting (adjective after verb).

Examples by Level

The old milk is disgusting.

Le vieux lait est dégoûtant.

Simple subject + is + adjective.

That smell is disgusting!

Cette odeur est dégoûtante !

Exclamatory sentence using 'is'.

I don't like this food; it's disgusting.

Je n'aime pas cette nourriture ; c'est dégoûtant.

Using 'it's' to refer back to 'food'.

The dirty bathroom was disgusting.

La salle de bain sale était dégoûtante.

Past tense 'was' with the adjective.

There is a disgusting bug in my room.

Il y a un insecte dégoûtant dans ma chambre.

Adjective before the noun (attributive).

His dirty shoes are disgusting.

Ses chaussures sales sont dégoûtantes.

Plural subject 'shoes' + 'are'.

The trash is disgusting today.

La poubelle est dégoûtante aujourd'hui.

Using a time marker 'today'.

That is a disgusting taste.

C'est un goût dégoûtant.

Adjective modifying the noun 'taste'.

Smoking is a disgusting habit.

Fumer est une habitude dégoûtante.

Gerund 'Smoking' as the subject.

The kitchen was in a disgusting state.

La cuisine était dans un état dégoûtant.

Phrase 'in a disgusting state'.

I think that movie was disgusting.

Je pense que ce film était dégoûtant.

Reporting an opinion with 'I think'.

It is disgusting to leave litter in the park.

C'est dégoûtant de laisser des déchets dans le parc.

It is + adjective + to-infinitive.

The water in the lake looked disgusting.

L'eau du lac avait l'air dégoûtante.

Linking verb 'looked'.

She said the food was really disgusting.

Elle a dit que la nourriture était vraiment dégoûtante.

Using 'really' as an intensifier.

I found a disgusting hair in my soup.

J'ai trouvé un cheveu dégoûtant dans ma soupe.

Verb 'found' + object with adjective.

The smell from the drains was disgusting.

L'odeur des égouts était dégoûtante.

Subject with a prepositional phrase.

It's disgusting how some people treat animals.

C'est dégoûtant la façon dont certaines personnes traitent les animaux.

Exclamatory 'how' clause.

The corruption in the government is disgusting.

La corruption au sein du gouvernement est dégoûtante.

Abstract noun 'corruption' as subject.

I was disgusted by the disgusting conditions.

J'ai été dégoûté par les conditions dégoûtantes.

Using both 'disgusted' (feeling) and 'disgusting' (cause).

The way he lied to her was absolutely disgusting.

La façon dont il lui a menti était absolument dégoûtante.

Using 'absolutely' for emphasis.

The hotel room was disgusting, so we left.

La chambre d'hôtel était dégoûtante, alors nous sommes partis.

Compound sentence with 'so'.

I find his sense of humor quite disgusting.

Je trouve son sens de l'humour assez dégoûtant.

Verb 'find' + object + adjective.

It is disgusting that they waste so much money.

C'est dégoûtant qu'ils gaspillent autant d'argent.

It is + adjective + that-clause.

The hospital was disgusting and lacked basic supplies.

L'hôpital était dégoûtant et manquait de fournitures de base.

Coordinated adjectives/verbs.

The sheer scale of the pollution is disgusting.

L'ampleur même de la pollution est dégoûtante.

Using 'sheer scale' for emphasis.

He gave a disgusting display of arrogance.

Il a fait une démonstration dégoûtante d'arrogance.

Noun phrase 'display of arrogance'.

The movie was criticized for its disgusting violence.

Le film a été critiqué pour sa violence dégoûtante.

Passive voice 'was criticized'.

I think it's disgusting that they are raising prices again.

Je trouve dégoûtant qu'ils augmentent encore les prix.

Complex opinion structure.

The conditions in the sweatshop were truly disgusting.

Les conditions dans l'atelier de misère étaient vraiment dégoûtantes.

Using 'truly' as an intensifier.

His treatment of the staff was nothing short of disgusting.

Son traitement du personnel n'était rien de moins que dégoûtant.

Idiomatic phrase 'nothing short of'.

The smell of rotting fish was utterly disgusting.

L'odeur du poisson pourri était tout à fait dégoûtante.

Using 'utterly' for maximum impact.

They lived in disgusting poverty while the leaders were rich.

Ils vivaient dans une pauvreté dégoûtante alors que les dirigeants étaient riches.

Contrastive 'while' clause.

The moral vacuum at the heart of the scandal is disgusting.

Le vide moral au cœur du scandale est dégoûtant.

Metaphorical use of 'moral vacuum'.

She recoiled from the disgusting sight of the wound.

Elle a reculé devant la vue dégoûtante de la blessure.

Verb 'recoiled from' showing reaction.

The blatant disregard for human rights is disgusting.

Le mépris flagrant des droits de l'homme est dégoûtant.

Strong noun phrase 'blatant disregard'.

I found the level of hypocrisy in his speech disgusting.

J'ai trouvé le niveau d'hypocrisie dans son discours dégoûtant.

Focusing on abstract moral qualities.

The documentary revealed the disgusting truth about the industry.

Le documentaire a révélé la dégoûtante vérité sur l'industrie.

Adjective modifying 'truth'.

It is disgusting to witness such a lack of empathy.

C'est dégoûtant d'être témoin d'un tel manque d'empathie.

Using 'witness' as the infinitive.

The city's neglect of its most vulnerable citizens is disgusting.

La négligence de la ville envers ses citoyens les plus vulnérables est dégoûtante.

Possessive 'city's neglect'.

The smell was so disgusting it was almost palpable.

L'odeur était si dégoûtante qu'elle était presque palpable.

So + adjective + that-clause (omitted 'that').

The visceral disgust I felt was almost overwhelming.

Le dégoût viscéral que j'ai ressenti était presque accablant.

Using the noun 'disgust' with 'visceral'.

His actions were a disgusting perversion of justice.

Ses actions étaient une dégoûtante perversion de la justice.

Strong academic/legal vocabulary.

The aesthetic of the film was intentionally disgusting.

L'esthétique du film était intentionnellement dégoûtante.

Adverb 'intentionally' modifying the adjective.

The exploitation of the crisis for profit is disgusting.

L'exploitation de la crise à des fins lucratives est dégoûtante.

Gerund phrase as subject.

There is something profoundly disgusting about his sycophancy.

Il y a quelque chose de profondément dégoûtant dans sa flatterie.

Using 'profoundly' and 'sycophancy'.

The report paints a disgusting picture of corporate greed.

Le rapport brosse un tableau dégoûtant de la cupidité des entreprises.

Idiomatic 'paints a picture'.

To find such beauty in the disgusting is the mark of a great artist.

Trouver une telle beauté dans ce qui est dégoûtant est la marque d'un grand artiste.

Using 'the disgusting' as a noun phrase.

The sheer disgustingness of the situation left me speechless.

Le caractère purement dégoûtant de la situation m'a laissé sans voix.

Using the rare noun form 'disgustingness'.

Common Collocations

absolutely disgusting

disgusting habit

disgusting smell

disgusting behavior

find something disgusting

utterly disgusting

disgusting mess

disgusting conditions

truly disgusting

disgusting food

Common Phrases

That's disgusting!

— A common exclamation used to show immediate revulsion.

You're eating that? That's disgusting!

Beyond disgusting

— Used to say something is even worse than just disgusting.

The way they lied was beyond disgusting.

Purely disgusting

— Used to emphasize that there is nothing good about the thing.

It was a purely disgusting act of violence.

Disgusting to look at

— Specifically refers to visual unpleasantness.

The wound was disgusting to look at.

Borderline disgusting

— Used when something is almost, but not quite, disgusting.

The cleanliness of the room was borderline disgusting.

Morally disgusting

— Specifies that the disgust is about ethics, not physical senses.

His political views are morally disgusting to me.

Socially disgusting

— Refers to behavior that violates social etiquette in a gross way.

Spitting on the floor is socially disgusting.

Disgusting amount of

— Used to describe an excessive and unpleasant quantity.

There was a disgusting amount of trash on the beach.

Look disgusting

— Describes the appearance of something.

Those old leftovers look disgusting.

Smell disgusting

— Describes the odor of something.

Your gym bag smells disgusting.

Often Confused With

disgusting vs disgusted

Disgusted is how you feel; disgusting is what makes you feel that way.

disgusting vs discussing

Discussing means talking about something; disgusting means repulsive.

disgusting vs distasteful

Distasteful is much milder and usually refers to things that are socially inappropriate rather than physically gross.

Idioms & Expressions

"Enough to make you sick"

— Used to describe something so disgusting it causes physical nausea.

The smell in that room was enough to make you sick.

Informal

"Turn someone's stomach"

— To make someone feel disgusted or nauseated.

The sight of the blood turned my stomach.

Neutral

"Make someone's skin crawl"

— To cause a feeling of intense disgust or creepiness.

The way he looked at her made my skin crawl.

Informal

"A bitter pill to swallow"

— While usually meaning a hard truth, it can relate to a disgusting situation one must accept.

Accepting the loss was a bitter pill to swallow.

Neutral

"Leave a bad taste in one's mouth"

— To leave a lingering feeling of disgust or dissatisfaction after an event.

The way the meeting ended left a bad taste in my mouth.

Neutral

"Sick to one's stomach"

— Feeling very disgusted or upset.

I was sick to my stomach when I heard the news.

Informal

"Gross someone out"

— To make someone feel disgusted.

Stop talking about bugs, you're grossing me out!

Slang

"Beyond the pale"

— To be completely unacceptable or disgusting in a social sense.

His comments were truly beyond the pale.

Formal

"Nauseatingly sweet"

— Used for something that is so sweet (or fake) it becomes disgusting.

Her voice was nauseatingly sweet.

Neutral

"Vile as sin"

— Extremely disgusting or wicked.

That old man was as vile as sin.

Literary

Easily Confused

disgusting vs revolting

Both mean very unpleasant.

Revolting often implies a physical turning away or a sense of rebellion.

The smell was revolting.

disgusting vs repulsive

Both mean causing dislike.

Repulsive is more formal and often used in science (like magnets) or for physical appearance.

He found the idea repulsive.

disgusting vs gross

Both mean disgusting.

Gross is much more informal and common in American slang.

That's so gross!

disgusting vs vile

Both mean very bad.

Vile is stronger and often carries a moral or evil connotation.

What a vile thing to say.

disgusting vs foul

Both describe bad things.

Foul is specifically used for bad odors, bad weather, or unfair play in sports.

A foul ball.

Sentence Patterns

The [noun] is disgusting.

The milk is disgusting.

It is disgusting to [verb].

It is disgusting to litter.

I find [noun] disgusting.

I find his behavior disgusting.

I was disgusted by the [adjective] [noun].

I was disgusted by the disgusting food.

What is disgusting is [clause].

What is disgusting is how they lie.

It was absolutely disgusting.

The room was absolutely disgusting.

The [noun] was nothing short of disgusting.

The treatment was nothing short of disgusting.

There is something [adverb] disgusting about [noun].

There is something profoundly disgusting about his greed.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written English.

Common Mistakes

I am disgusting. → I am disgusted.
You are describing yourself as a gross person instead of saying how you feel.
The movie was very disgusted. → The movie was very disgusting.
A movie cannot have feelings; it can only cause them.
We were disgusting the problem. → We were discussing the problem.
Confusing the word with 'discussing'.
It was a disgusing smell. → It was a disgusting smell.
Spelling error: missing the 't'.
The food was disgusting good. → The food was disgustingly good.
Using the adjective instead of the adverb to modify another adjective (slang usage).

Tips

Avoid Overuse

Don't use 'disgusting' for everything. If something is just a little bad, use 'unpleasant' or 'not good'.

Check the Ending

Always check if you mean 'disgusting' (the thing) or 'disgusted' (the person).

Stress the Middle

Remember the stress is on 'GUST'. Saying it correctly makes you sound much more fluent.

Learn Synonyms

Learning words like 'revolting' and 'vile' will help you express different types of disgust.

Be Careful with Food

Never call someone's food 'disgusting' unless you want to hurt their feelings deeply.

Use for Impact

Save 'disgusting' for the most important points in your writing to make them stand out.

Listen for Context

Notice if 'disgusting' is being used for a smell, a taste, or a moral issue.

The 'U' is Key

Many people forget the 'u'. Think of the word 'gust' (of wind) to help you remember.

Formal Situations

In formal letters, 'disgusting' is a great way to show you are very serious about a problem.

Body Phrases

Learn phrases like 'turn my stomach' to sound more like a native speaker when talking about disgust.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'DIS' (like dislike) and 'GUST' (like a gust of wind). A 'disgusting' smell is a 'gust' of air you 'dis'like.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright green piece of moldy bread. That visual 'ick' is the definition of disgusting.

Word Web

smell taste dirty wrong gross sick bad unpleasant

Challenge

Try to find three things today that you would describe as disgusting and write a sentence for each using a different intensifier (e.g., absolutely, truly, utterly).

Word Origin

From the Old French word 'desgouster', which means 'to dislike' or 'to lose one's appetite'.

Original meaning: Literally 'to have a distaste for', coming from 'des-' (away/not) and 'gouster' (to taste).

Romance (via French) to Germanic (English).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word to describe cultural practices or personal appearances, as it can be very offensive.

Used frequently in consumer complaints and moral outcries. It is a 'high-impact' word.

Gordon Ramsay often uses 'disgusting' to describe food on Kitchen Nightmares. The movie 'Inside Out' features a character named Disgust. Roald Dahl's 'The Twits' is full of disgusting descriptions.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In a Restaurant

This food is disgusting.
The table is disgusting.
There's a disgusting fly in my drink.
The smell is disgusting.

Talking about Habits

That's a disgusting habit.
It's disgusting to spit.
Picking your nose is disgusting.
His hygiene is disgusting.

Discussing News

That crime is disgusting.
The corruption is disgusting.
It's disgusting how they treat people.
A disgusting scandal.

Cleaning the House

This room is disgusting.
What a disgusting mess!
The fridge is disgusting.
That's a disgusting stain.

Watching a Movie

That scene was disgusting.
The special effects were disgusting.
What a disgusting character.
The violence was disgusting.

Conversation Starters

"What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten?"

"Do you think it's disgusting to eat insects?"

"What's a habit that you find absolutely disgusting?"

"Have you ever stayed in a disgusting hotel room?"

"What's the most disgusting smell you can imagine?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you encountered something disgusting. How did you react?

Write about a 'disgusting' habit you used to have and how you stopped it.

Do you think the word 'disgusting' is overused today? Why or why not?

Describe a fictional character who is disgusting. What makes them that way?

Write a letter of complaint about a disgusting experience at a shop or restaurant.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It can be. If you use it to describe someone's cooking or their appearance, it is very rude. However, using it for trash or bad behavior is normal.

Yes, but 'absolutely disgusting' or 'really disgusting' sounds more natural to native speakers because it's a strong adjective.

'Gross' is informal and 'disgusting' is neutral/standard. Use 'disgusting' in writing and 'gross' with friends.

It is D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G. Don't forget the 'u' after the 'g'!

Yes, it is used in formal contexts to strongly condemn actions or conditions, such as in politics or news.

The noun form is 'disgust'. For example: 'He looked at the mess with disgust.'

Rarely, in slang, it can mean 'very good' (like 'sick'), but this is not common and you should avoid using it that way.

Delicious, appetizing, or tasty.

Both are correct. 'I am disgusted by the smell' and 'I am disgusted at his behavior' are both common.

Yes, but it is a very strong insult. It's better to say their *actions* are disgusting.