misery

misery — noun

1. a state of extreme unhappiness, pain, or emotional distress, especially one that

1.名詞B2
釋義

a state of extreme unhappiness, pain, or emotional distress, especially one that lasts a long time or is brought on by very hard life conditions — for example, losing a loved one, living in poverty, or suffering a long illness.

例句

The Chen family lived in misery after losing their home in the flood.

collocation: live in misery

Years of illness brought nothing but misery to Saira's grandfather.

bring nothing but misery to [person]

同義詞
  • suffering

    broader term covering both physical and emotional pain; less intense and more general than misery

  • distress

    focuses on worry, anxiety, or upset; usually less severe and shorter in duration than misery

  • anguish

    more intense, more purely emotional; suggests mental torture rather than circumstantial hardship

  • agony

    extreme, often acute pain; can be physical or mental, but implies greater intensity in a shorter time frame

反義詞
  • happiness

    general opposite; the state of being content or joyful

  • bliss

    extreme happiness; suggests a complete absence of any suffering

  • comfort

    focuses on ease and freedom from hardship

文法句型

adjective + misery

in misery

misery + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Typically uncountable — do not say "a misery" when referring to unhappiness (that belongs to sense 2). Frequently modified by adjectives such as utter, sheer, pure, abject, or deep. Common in both formal and everyday contexts but most natural when describing prolonged suffering rather than a brief moment of sadness.

常見錯誤

❌I have a misery in my leg.
✅I have a pain in my leg.
💡Misery describes emotional or circumstantial suffering, not a physical sensation.
❌The news brought me a misery.
✅The news brought me misery.
💡As an uncountable noun, misery does not take the article 'a' when referring to suffering.

2. someone who is never satisfied, complains all the time, and whose negative attit

2.名詞C1
釋義

someone who is never satisfied, complains all the time, and whose negative attitude makes other people feel uncomfortable or annoyed.

例句

Nobody wanted to sit next to Walid at dinner because he was such a misery.

informal: 'be such a misery'

Our supervisor is a real misery — she never has anything good to say about anyone.

a real misery (countable singular)

同義詞
  • grouch

    similar meaning but slightly less intense; more common in American English

  • moaner

    focuses specifically on a person who complains verbally rather than on their general negative mood

文法句型

be + a + misery

such a misery

a real / complete misery

用法筆記

Countable noun — must take 'a' or 'the' in singular form. More common in British English than American English; in US English, 'a grouch' or 'a sourpuss' are more frequently used instead. The tone is mildly critical but can be affectionate when used among close friends.

常見錯誤

❌He is misery today.
✅He is a misery today.
💡When referring to a person, the article 'a' is required because this sense is countable.
❌She is such a miser.
✅She is such a misery.
💡A miser is someone who hoards money; a misery is someone who always complains. These are different words.