Disgust

/dɪsˈɡʌst/

nounmediumCommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A strong feeling of dislike or disapproval; revulsion.

/dɪsˈɡʌst/

nounnegativemedium
General

A strong feeling of dislike and revulsion.

The smell of rotting garbage filled me with disgust.

💡 Simply: Imagine something icky, like a big pile of garbage or someone coughing right in your face! Disgust is that yucky feeling you get when you see, smell, or hear something you really, really don't like.

👶 For kids: A yucky feeling that makes you want to turn away because something is gross.

More Examples

2

She expressed her disgust at the politician's corrupt actions.

How It's Used

General

"She felt a wave of disgust when she saw the spoiled food."

Psychology

"Disgust is a basic human emotion that protects against potential threats."

2

To cause someone to feel disgust; to fill with strong dislike.

/dɪsˈɡʌst/

verbnegativemedium
General

To cause someone to feel strong dislike and revulsion.

The cruel treatment of the animals disgusted the audience.

💡 Simply: Ever see something so gross it makes your stomach churn? That feeling, that action of making someone feel yucky, is to disgust them. Like when you see someone eating bugs – it might disgust you!

👶 For kids: To make someone feel really yucky.

More Examples

2

The lack of hygiene disgusted the inspector.

How It's Used

General

"The sight of the mess disgusted her."

Literature

"The author used vivid imagery to disgust the reader with the protagonist's actions."

Tip:Think of something that is 'gust'ing, like a foul smell, that directly affects someone.

Idioms & expressions

turn someone's stomach

To cause someone to feel nauseated or disgusted.

"The sight of the bloody accident turned my stomach."

in disgust

Feeling or showing strong dislike.

"He walked out of the room in disgust."

From Middle French desgoust, from Old Italian disgusto, from Latin dis- (prefix meaning 'not') + gustus ('taste').

The word's usage has remained consistent, often describing revulsion or strong dislike, as it did in older texts.

Memory tip

Think of the word 'gusto' in reverse; a lack of positive 'gusto' results in disgust.

disgustingdigustdisgusted

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written