uncomfortable

adjective

un·​com·​fort·​able

ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-bəl,

-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-bəl,

-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-bəl 

-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-bəl,

-ˈkəm-fər-bəl,

-ˈkəm-fə-bəl

1

: causing discomfort or annoyance

an uncomfortable chair

an uncomfortable performance

2

: feeling discomfort : uneasy

was uncomfortable with them

uncomfortably

ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tər-blē

-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə-blē

-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-blē 

-ˈkəm(p)-fə-tə-blē

-ˈkəm-fər-blē

-ˈkəm-fə-blē

adverb

Synonyms

• comfortless
• discomforting
• harsh

Examples of uncomfortable in a Sentence

You look uncomfortable in that chair. Would you like to sit here instead?

The silence went on so long that it became very uncomfortable.

We were in the uncomfortable position of asking for money.

I was uncomfortable about talking to them.

She's uncomfortable being in the spotlight.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even our most uncomfortable emotions need to be voiced, says Lisa Marie Bobby, psychologist and founder of Growing Self Counseling & Coaching in Denver. —Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024

The complaint also details multiple scenes — including a birth scene — where Lively allegedly felt uncomfortable. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

The show also has smart things to say about serious and sometimes uncomfortable issues without being too serious or uncomfortable, itself. —Devonne Goode, Parents, 23 Dec. 2024

Many women skip screenings because the traditional screening method, often referred to as a Pap smear (fun fact: it also hasn’t been updated in nearly a century), is invasive, inconvenient and uncomfortable. —Mallory Walsh, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

uncomfortable

adjective

un·​com·​fort·​able ˌən-ˈkəm(p)(f)-tə(r)-bəl 

-ˈkəm(p)-fə(r)t-ə-bəl,

ˈən-

1

: causing discomfort

an uncomfortable chair

2

: feeling discomfort : uneasy

uncomfortably

-blē 

adverb