disgust
B2Standard, used across formal and informal registers; more graphic than 'dislike'.
Definition
Meaning
A strong feeling of revulsion or profound disapproval, usually triggered by something unpleasant, offensive, or morally repugnant.
In a broader sense, it can signify intense dislike or aversion, not just to physical things but to ideas, behaviours, or situations, often with a moral dimension.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It is both a noun (a feeling) and a verb (to cause that feeling). The emotion is often visceral, implying a physical reaction. Stronger than 'dislike' or 'distaste'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major syntactic or semantic differences. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly similar in both varieties. May be perceived as a very strong word in everyday British English, sometimes softened with modifiers like 'a bit'.
Frequency
Comparatively frequent in both; perhaps slightly more common in American media discourse regarding moral or political topics.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to feel disgust at/with/towards somethingto be disgusted by/with/at someone/somethingto do something in disgustto one's disgustIt disgusts me that...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sick to the back teeth of something (implies disgust from over-familiarity)”
- “leave a bad taste in the mouth”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts of ethical breaches: 'The scandal filled shareholders with disgust.'
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, and ethics to discuss moral emotions and reactions.
Everyday
Common for strong reactions to bad smells, mess, rudeness, or unfair actions.
Technical
In medicine/psychology, a basic emotion related to avoidance of contamination.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The state of the public loos absolutely disgusted me.
- His hypocrisy disgusts everyone in the office.
American English
- The level of corruption in the system disgusts voters.
- I was disgusted by the violent scenes in the movie.
adverb
British English
- He stared disgustedly at the mouldy bread.
- She shook her head disgustedly and walked away.
American English
- 'You're late again,' he said disgustedly.
- He looked around the filthy room disgustedly.
adjective
British English
- He found the muddy footprints on the carpet quite disgusting.
- That's a disgusting habit; please stop.
American English
- The food was left out so long it became disgusting.
- I think their behaviour was disgusting and unfair.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The smell was bad. I felt disgust.
- I think bugs are disgusting.
- She felt disgust at seeing so much litter on the beach.
- The spoiled milk in the fridge smelled disgusting.
- Much to her disgust, her brother had used her favourite mug without asking.
- Many people expressed their disgust at the politician's insensitive comments on social media.
- A profound sense of disgust washed over him as he surveyed the exploitative labour practices documented in the report.
- The artist's work is deliberately provocative, intended to evoke both fascination and disgust in the viewer.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DISGUST' = 'DIS' (negative) + 'GUST' (like 'gust of wind') – a sudden, forceful negative feeling that hits you.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISGUST IS A PHYSICAL REACTION (e.g., 'It made my stomach turn.'), DISGUST IS A TASTE (e.g., 'left a bad taste'), DISGUST IS FILTH/CONTAMINATION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'гадость' (nasty thing) – 'disgust' is the feeling. The feeling is 'отвращение'.
- The adjective 'disgusting' is commonly translated as 'отвратительный', not 'гадкий' in most contexts.
- Do not overuse as a direct translation for strong 'не нравится'; it is more intense.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'disgust' as an adjective (e.g., 'I feel disgust' – correct: 'I feel disgusted' or 'I feel disgust').
- Wrong preposition: 'disgust for something' is acceptable but 'disgust at something' is more common for immediate reactions.
- Confusing spelling: 'disqust' or 'disqusting'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'disgust' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are different. 'Hate' implies active hostility or anger, while 'disgust' implies revulsion and a desire to avoid or reject. Something can be disgusting without being hated (e.g., a food you find disgusting).
Yes. As a noun: 'She felt disgust.' As a verb (transitive): 'His actions disgust me.' The adjective is 'disgusting' and the adverb is 'disgustedly'.
The most common are 'disgusted by' (the agent causing the feeling) and 'disgusted at' (the action or event). 'Disgusted with' is also used, often referring to a person or oneself.
'Distaste' is milder and more about mild dislike or disapproval, often aesthetic. 'Disgust' is a much stronger, more visceral reaction, often involving morality or physical revulsion.
Collections
Part of a collection
Nuanced Emotions
C2 · 48 words · Precise vocabulary for complex emotional states.