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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | Latin miserabilis, from miser; MISER |
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mis‧e‧ra‧ble
1 extremely unhappy, for example because you feel lonely, cold, or badly treated : 
I've been so miserable since Pat left me.
I've been so miserable since Pat left me.2 especially British English always bad-tempered, dissatisfied, or complaining : He's a miserable old devil.
He's a miserable old devil.3 [usually before noun] making you feel very unhappy, uncomfortable etc : They endured hours of backbreaking work in miserable conditions.
They endured hours of backbreaking work in miserable conditions.4 miserable weather is cold and dull, with no sun shining : It was a miserable grey day. two weeks of miserable weather
It was a miserable grey day.two weeks of miserable weather5 [only before noun] very small in amount, or very bad in quality : I can hardly afford the rent on my miserable income. The team gave a miserable performance.
I can hardly afford the rent on my miserable income.The team gave a miserable performance.6 a complete failure : Her attempts to learn to drive had been a miserable failure.
miserable failure
British EnglishHer attempts to learn to drive had been a miserable failure. —miserably adverb: I failed miserably in my duty to protect her.
WORD FOCUS: sad I failed miserably in my duty to protect her.WORD FOCUS: sad unhappy sad because of the situation you are in
miserable very sad
depressed sad for a long time, and feeling that your life will never get better
gloomy/glum looking sad
down/down in the dumps sad and without much interest in life - usually not in a serious or permanent way
broken-hearted very sad because someone has ended a romantic relationship with you
homesick sad because you are a long way from your home and your friends
➔ See also sad
