unpleasant

unpleasant — adjective

1. describes an experience, situation, or thing that makes you feel uncomfortable,

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes an experience, situation, or thing that makes you feel uncomfortable, slightly annoyed, or unhappy — for example, an unpleasant smell from a blocked drain, an unpleasant surprise in the mail, or an uncomfortable train journey on a hot day.

Example

The smell from the old drain was so unpleasant that Felix had to open every window.

collocation: unpleasant smell / unpleasant experience

An unpleasant surprise waited for Apinya when she opened her electricity bill.

collocation: unpleasant surprise

Common collocations
  • unpleasant experience
  • unpleasant surprise
  • unpleasant smell / odour
  • unpleasant taste
  • unpleasant task
Synonyms
  • disagreeable

    more formal; often used for tastes, smells, or weather

  • nasty

    stronger and more informal; suggests something foul or disgusting

  • uncomfortable

    milder; focuses on physical or emotional unease, not active annoyance

Antonyms
  • pleasant

    the direct opposite — enjoyable and nice

  • agreeable

    more formal; describes something you are happy to experience

Grammar Patterns

unpleasant + noun

it + be + unpleasant + to-infinitive

find + noun + unpleasant

Usage Note

Describes the thing or situation itself, not a person's internal feeling. Say 'The news was unpleasant' (correct) — not 'I felt unpleasant' (use 'upset' or 'uncomfortable' instead).

Common Mistakes

I felt unpleasant after hearing the news.
I felt upset after hearing the news.
'unpleasant' describes the situation, not how you feel.
The food had a very unpleasant.
The food had a very unpleasant taste.
'unpleasant' needs a noun after it when used before a noun, or a linking verb before it.

2. describes a person who behaves in a rude, angry, or unfriendly way, or the way t

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes a person who behaves in a rude, angry, or unfriendly way, or the way they act — for example, a hotel clerk speaking harshly to guests, or someone using a sharp tone during a disagreement.

Example

The hotel manager was so unpleasant that Selim asked to speak with someone else.

unpleasant person; be + unpleasant

Gabriel became unpleasant with the cashier when he received the wrong change.

become + unpleasant + with + person

Common collocations
  • unpleasant man / woman / person
  • unpleasant tone
  • unpleasant manner
  • unpleasant attitude
  • unpleasant to someone
Synonyms
  • rude

    more direct and common; focuses on impolite speech or actions

  • unfriendly

    less angry; suggests coldness rather than active hostility

  • obnoxious

    stronger; describes someone so unpleasant that others find them hard to tolerate

  • nasty

    informal; implies meanness with intent to hurt

Antonyms
  • polite

    the direct opposite — showing good manners and respect

  • friendly

    kind and warm toward others

  • agreeable

    willing to be pleasant and cooperative

Grammar Patterns

unpleasant + noun

be + unpleasant + to + noun

Usage Note

Often followed by 'to' (unpleasant to someone) or 'about' (unpleasant about something). Can describe a person directly ('a very unpleasant man') or their manner, tone, attitude, or behaviour.

Common Mistakes

He was unpleasant with me for no reason.
He was unpleasant to me for no reason.
use 'to', not 'with', when describing how someone treats another person.
My boss was unpleasant.' (when meaning he was angry at a situation, not at anyone)
My boss was in an unpleasant mood.
'unpleasant' about a person suggests they are being rude to others; for a temporary bad mood, use 'in a bad mood.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something you do not enjoy, but they differ in strength and focus. 'Unpleasant' (B1) is the most general and neutral — it covers any experience, smell, sound, or situation that bothers you. 'Disagreeable' (C1) is more formal and often used for tastes, smells, or weather; a 'disagreeable odour' sounds clinical rather than emotional. 'Nasty' (B2) is stronger and more informal — a 'nasty cold' or 'nasty cut' suggests something foul, painful, or disgusting. 'Uncomfortable' (B1) is milder and focuses on physical or emotional unease rather than active annoyance; you feel 'uncomfortable' in a crowded train, but the train itself is 'unpleasant.' For everyday use, 'unpleasant' and 'uncomfortable' cover most situations safely. Example: 'The flight was unpleasant because of the crying baby.' 'It was uncomfortable to sit in those tiny seats.' 'The food had a disagreeable aftertaste.' 'He made a nasty remark about her cooking.'

unpleasant ↗disagreeable ↗nasty ↗uncomfortable ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • extremely unpleasant
  • very unpleasant
  • quite unpleasant
  • incredibly unpleasant
  • thoroughly unpleasant

Phrases

  • an unpleasant turn of events
  • in an unpleasant situation
  • have an unpleasant feeling about

Prepositions

  • unpleasant for
  • unpleasant to

Etymology

Old FrenchEnglish

Formed by adding the Old English prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') to the word 'pleasant'. 'Pleasant' comes from Old French 'plaisant', meaning 'pleasing, agreeable', which itself comes from Latin 'placere' (to please). The word has been used in English since the 1500s.