misery
gb/mˈɪzɚi/ us/mˈɪzɚi/
B1
English
~ 2300
szenvedés, gyötrelem, nyomorúság, kínszenvedés, megpróbáltatás, ünneprontó, morgós alak
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to be in [misery]
The loss of her job plunged her into deep misery.
Az állása elvesztése mély nyomorúságba taszította.
He lived in constant misery after the accident.
A baleset után állandó szenvedésben élt.
The refugees spoke about the misery they had endured during the conflict.
Years of poverty brought endless misery to the family.
Learner examples
She felt misery after her friend moved away.
Nagyon szenvedett, miután a barátja elköltözött.
The sick man was in great misery.
A beteg férfi nagyon szenvedett.
War brings misery to many people.
He lived in misery for many years.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'misery' with 'miser' (a person who hates spending money). They are unrelated in meaning.
Meaning
Extreme suffering or unhappiness
Collocations
in misery
|cause misery
|years of misery
|misery and pain
|misery of war
Synonyms
suffering (A general term for experiencing pain or distress, not necessarily extreme.)
|
distress (Focuses more on emotional pain or trouble, sometimes less severe than misery.)
Antonyms
happiness (The opposite emotional state, marked by pleasure and contentment.)
|
comfort (The opposite physical state, free from pain or hardship.)
Themes
emotions
|health
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling of very strong sadness or pain.
A state of great physical pain or severe mental distress.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
the misery of [situation]
The misery of waiting in the cold seemed endless.
A hidegben várakozni végtelen kínszenvedésnek tűnt.
Economic misery spread across the region after the factory closed.
A gyár bezárása után gazdasági nyomorúság terjedt el a térségben.
The long delays added to the passengers' misery.
Learner examples
The cold made the trip a misery.
A hideg kínszenvedéssé tette az utazást.
Unemployment is a great misery for many people.
A munkanélküliség sok ember számára nagy megpróbáltatás.
Rain added to our misery at the picnic.
Meaning
Very unpleasant situation or condition
Collocations
the misery of winter
|economic misery
|misery of unemployment
Synonyms
hardship (Focuses on difficulty and suffering caused by lack of resources or comfort.)
|
ordeal (A difficult and unpleasant experience, often temporary.)
Antonyms
ease (A comfortable and trouble-free condition.)
|
relief (The removal of discomfort or distress.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A bad and hard situation that makes people unhappy.
An unpleasant or difficult situation that causes unhappiness or discomfort.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
3
ünneprontó
B2
morgós alak
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a (real) misery
Don't be such a misery—come out and enjoy yourself!
Ne légy már ilyen ünneprontó — gyere, és érezd jól magad!
He's a bit of a misery when things don't go his way.
Kicsit morgós alak, amikor nem úgy alakulnak a dolgok, ahogy szeretné.
She can be a real misery if she's tired.
Learner examples
He is a misery when it rains.
Morgós alak, ha esik az eső.
Don't be a misery. Come with us.
Ne légy ünneprontó. Gyere velünk.
She is a misery when she is hungry.
Meaning
Person who complains a lot
Collocations
such a misery
|don't be a misery
Synonyms
killjoy (Someone who deliberately spoils other people's fun.)
|
complainer (Someone who often expresses dissatisfaction, not always spoiling fun.)
Antonyms
cheerleader (Someone who actively encourages and lifts others' spirits.)
|
optimist (A person with a positive outlook who rarely complains.)
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone who often complains and makes others feel bad.
A person who frequently complains or dampens others' enjoyment.
Grammar
Dictionary form
misery
IPA
GB/mˈɪzɚi/
US/mˈɪzɚi/
Syllables & stress
misery (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (misery)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: misery
- Plural: miseries, misery
Word family
Forms
miseries
noun
Core family
miserable
adjective A2
miserably
adverb
Advanced or less common
commiserate
verb
commiseration
noun
Expressions
loves company (misery loves company)
1/lˈʌvz kˈʌmpəni mˈɪzɚi lˈʌvz kˈʌmpəni/
idiom
Unhappy people seek others like them
People who are unhappy like to be with other unhappy people.
Examples
- She invited me to join her in complaining—misery loves company.
- They say misery loves company, and he wanted everyone to share his bad mood.
make someone's life a misery
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌnz lˈaɪf ə mˈɪzɚi/
fixed phrase
Cause someone constant unhappiness
To make someone feel unhappy for a long time.
Examples
- Her boss made her life a misery with constant criticism.
- Bullies can make a child's life a misery at school.
pour out one's misery
1/pˈɔɹ ˈaʊt wˈʌnz mˈɪzɚi/
fixed phrase
Talk about your unhappiness in detail
To tell someone all about your sadness or problems.
Examples
- He poured out his misery to his best friend.
- She sat down and poured out her misery over coffee.