uncomfortably
gb/ʌŋkˈʌmfɚtəbli/ us/ʌŋkˈʌmfɚtəbli/
B2
English
kellemetlenül, kényelmetlenül, zavartan, feszengve
B2
1
Usage pattern:
uncomfortably + [adjective/adverb] (e.g., uncomfortably hot, uncomfortably close)
It was uncomfortably hot in the meeting room.
A tárgyalóban kellemetlenül meleg volt.
She stood uncomfortably close to the edge of the platform.
Kellemetlenül közel állt a peron széléhez.
The question made him uncomfortably aware of his mistake.
Learner examples
The car was uncomfortably full.
Az autó kellemetlenül zsúfolt volt.
This chair is uncomfortably hard.
Ez a szék kellemetlenül kemény.
Common mistake:
Learners may use the adjective 'uncomfortable' instead of the adverb: say 'uncomfortably hot' (not 'uncomfortable hot').
Meaning
to an uncomfortable degree
Collocations
uncomfortably close
|uncomfortably hot
|uncomfortably cold
|uncomfortably tight
|uncomfortably loud
|uncomfortably bright
|uncomfortably aware
|uncomfortably near
|uncomfortably crowded
|uncomfortably long
Synonyms
unpleasantly (Emphasizes that it feels unpleasant rather than simply not comfortable.)
|
uneasily (Often focuses more on emotional discomfort than physical discomfort.)
Antonyms
comfortably (To a degree that feels physically or emotionally comfortable.)
|
pleasantly (Suggests the degree feels enjoyable.)
Themes
daily_life
|emotions
|describing_things
Definition
So much that it feels uncomfortable.
To a degree that causes physical discomfort or emotional unease.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] + [sit/lie/sleep/shift] uncomfortably
He sat uncomfortably on the narrow bench.
Kényelmetlenül ült a keskeny padon.
I slept uncomfortably on the sofa and woke up with a stiff neck.
Kényelmetlenül aludtam a kanapén, és úgy ébredtem, hogy beállt a nyakam.
She shifted uncomfortably as the bandage pulled against her skin.
Learner examples
I sat uncomfortably on the floor.
Kényelmetlenül ültem a padlón.
Common mistake:
Word order: usually after the verb ('sat uncomfortably'), not before it ('uncomfortably sat').
Meaning
in a physically uncomfortable way
Collocations
sit uncomfortably
|sleep uncomfortably
|lie uncomfortably
|shift uncomfortably
|squirm uncomfortably
|fidget uncomfortably
|rest uncomfortably
|perch uncomfortably
Synonyms
restlessly (Suggests frequent movement because of discomfort.)
|
awkwardly (Often focuses on an awkward position rather than pain.)
Antonyms
comfortably (In a physically relaxed, supported way.)
Themes
daily_life
|body_and_health
Definition
In a way that hurts or feels physically bad.
In a way that is not physically comfortable, especially in posture or movement.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] + [smile/laugh/clear their throat/pause] uncomfortably
She smiled uncomfortably when her name was mentioned.
Zavartan mosolygott, amikor megemlítették a nevét.
He laughed uncomfortably and changed the subject.
Zavartan felnevetett, aztán témát váltott.
There was a pause, and then the group moved on uncomfortably.
Learner examples
He smiled uncomfortably.
Zavartan mosolygott.
Common mistake:
Not the same as 'uncomfortable' describing an object; here it describes how someone behaves or reacts.
Meaning
in an awkward, uneasy way
Collocations
smile uncomfortably
|laugh uncomfortably
|chuckle uncomfortably
|pause uncomfortably
|cough uncomfortably
|glance uncomfortably
|clear one's throat uncomfortably
|fall uncomfortably silent
Synonyms
uneasily (More directly signals anxiety or lack of confidence.)
|
awkwardly (Focuses on social clumsiness or embarrassment.)
Antonyms
confidently (Shows ease and self-assurance rather than awkwardness.)
|
relaxedly (Suggests calm ease in a social situation.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
Definition
In a way that shows you feel awkward or nervous.
In a way that shows embarrassment, awkwardness, or unease in a social situation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
uncomfortably
IPA
GB/ʌŋkˈʌmfɚtəbli/
US/ʌŋkˈʌmfɚtəbli/
Syllables & stress
un - com - fort - ably (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (com)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: uncomfortably
- Plural: uncomfortablies
Expressions
uncomfortably aware
1/ʌŋkˈʌmfɚtəbli əwˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
aware in an uneasy way
To notice something and feel awkward or worried about it.
Examples
- She was uncomfortably aware of how quiet the room had become.
- I became uncomfortably aware that everyone was watching me.
Learner examples
- I was uncomfortably aware of my mistake.
uncomfortably close
1/ʌŋkˈʌmfɚtəbli klˈoʊs/
fixed phrase
too close for comfort
Too close, so it feels unpleasant or worrying.
Examples
- The stranger stood uncomfortably close to her on the train.
- The deadline is uncomfortably close now.
- Their views are uncomfortably close to what the company officially denies.
Learner examples
- He was standing uncomfortably close to me.
uncomfortably hot
1/ʌŋkˈʌmfɚtəbli hˈɑt/
fixed phrase
too hot to feel comfortable
So hot that you don’t feel comfortable.
Examples
- It gets uncomfortably hot in this apartment in the afternoon.
- The bus was crowded and uncomfortably hot.
Learner examples
- It is uncomfortably hot today.
uncomfortably near
1/ʌŋkˈʌmfɚtəbli nˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
worryingly close in distance
Very close in a way that feels unsafe or unpleasant.
Examples
- The drone hovered uncomfortably near the bedroom window.
- The fire line was uncomfortably near the houses by nightfall.
Learner examples
- The dog came uncomfortably near my food.
uncomfortably silent
1/ʌŋkˈʌmfɚtəbli sˈaɪlənt/
fixed phrase
silence that feels awkward
So quiet that it feels awkward.
Examples
- The table went uncomfortably silent after his comment.
- The room was uncomfortably silent as they waited for the results.
Learner examples
- After that question, everyone was uncomfortably silent.
uncomfortably tight
1/ʌŋkˈʌmfɚtəbli tˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
too tight to feel comfortable
Too tight, so it hurts or feels bad.
Examples
- The new shoes were uncomfortably tight across the toes.
- The bandage felt uncomfortably tight after a few hours.
Learner examples
- These jeans are uncomfortably tight.