Unhappiness
ˌʌnˈhæpinəs
Definitions
The state of feeling or showing sadness or discontent; lack of happiness.
ˌʌnˈhæpinəs
The state of being unhappy; sadness or dissatisfaction.
His unhappiness was evident in his gloomy expression.
💡 Simply: It's like when you're not feeling good, like something's bothering you, or you're just bummed out. Think of it as the opposite of feeling joyful or content. For example, 'The rainy weather brought me unhappiness.'
👶 For kids: Feeling sad or not happy.
More Examples
The news caused a wave of unhappiness among the employees.
She tried to hide her unhappiness, but it was clear.
How It's Used
"She expressed her unhappiness with the new policy."
"The study explored the correlation between unhappiness and stress levels."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
A cloud of unhappiness
A pervasive sense of sadness or gloom.
"A cloud of unhappiness hung over the town after the factory closed."
Burst of unhappiness
A sudden, short experience or expression of unhappiness.
"There was a sudden burst of unhappiness when the results were announced."
From "un-" (not) + "happiness". Happiness comes from the Old Norse word 'happ', meaning luck or good fortune, and the suffix '-ness' denoting a state or quality.
The word has been in use since the late 16th century, and its usage has remained fairly consistent, often appearing in literature and philosophical discussions about human emotions and experiences.
Memory tip
Imagine the word 'un' in front of 'happiness'. It flips the feeling!
Word Origin
"un- (not) + happ- (good fortune, luck) + -ness (state or quality)"