Uncomfortable Meaning
Uncomfortable Definition & Usage
Not providing physical ease or comfort; causing discomfort or pain.
Examples
- "The chair was so uncomfortable that she couldn’t sit for more than 10 minutes."
- "I had to shift positions frequently because the bed was uncomfortable."
- "The shoes were too tight, making the whole walk uncomfortable."
- "He found the long flight uncomfortable, especially with the cramped legroom."
- "After sitting on the hard floor for hours, I felt incredibly uncomfortable."
Causing feelings of awkwardness, embarrassment, or anxiety in a social or emotional context.
Examples
- "The conversation turned uncomfortable when they started discussing politics."
- "He felt uncomfortable around strangers, especially in large groups."
- "It was an uncomfortable silence after she made that comment."
- "The situation grew uncomfortable as more people started to argue."
- "She was uncomfortable in the meeting because she didn’t know anyone there."
Describing a situation or environment that feels tense or unwelcoming.
Examples
- "The atmosphere in the room was uncomfortable, filled with tension."
- "The workplace became uncomfortable after the new management took over."
- "The conversation was uncomfortable, with everyone avoiding eye contact."
- "Their home felt uncomfortable, as if something was out of place."
- "The team's uncomfortable response showed they were not prepared for the difficult question."
Cultural Context
The word 'uncomfortable' has been used since Middle English and comes from the Latin root 'comfortare,' meaning 'to strengthen or ease.' Over time, the negative prefix 'un-' was added to convey the opposite sense of being without comfort. It is now commonly used in a variety of contexts, including physical, social, and emotional discomfort.
The Uncomfortable Dinner
Story
The Uncomfortable Dinner
Samantha sat at the dinner table, her fork halfway to her mouth, but she couldn’t bring herself to take a bite. The room felt stifling, and the air was thick with tension. Her cousin Jack had just made a remark about her recent career choices, and she could feel all eyes on her, waiting for a response. It wasn’t that Jack had said something cruel—he was just blunt. But it had been a while since Samantha had seen her family, and the familiar banter of her relatives only made her more self-conscious. ‘Why are you always so uncomfortable around us?’ her brother teased, noticing the tension in her posture. She didn’t know how to answer. It wasn’t the food or the setting—it was the awkwardness of the conversation, the feeling of being judged, of being expected to act like she had it all together when she didn’t. She shifted in her chair, feeling the discomfort in her lower back as the old wooden seat creaked under her. The more she tried to smile and engage in the conversation, the more uncomfortable she felt. She could see her grandmother watching her, a slight frown on her face as if wondering what had happened to the confident girl she once knew. Samantha tried to push the thoughts away. Why was everything so uncomfortable tonight? Was it the old house with its worn-out furniture? The same familiar faces who, despite their best intentions, never seemed to understand her choices? Or was it simply the fact that she wasn’t the same person anymore? After a while, Samantha excused herself and went outside to the garden, hoping the cool night air would ease her discomfort. As she stepped into the garden, the silence was a relief. She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the cool breeze on her face. Maybe it wasn’t the people or the house—it was just her. The fact that she felt like an outsider in her own family. Still, she knew she would have to go back inside eventually. Her stomach churned at the thought of facing more uncomfortable conversations, but for now, at least, she could find some peace. When she returned to the table, she found that the awkwardness had lessened. Perhaps her absence had given the family some time to ease their own discomfort. Samantha smiled, feeling a little less uneasy than before. Maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.
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