Is miserable stronger than sad?

Yes. Miserable usually shows deeper unhappiness, discomfort, or distress than sad.

Can I use miserable for weather?

Yes. It often describes cold, wet, or unpleasant weather.

Is miserable formal or informal?

It is common in everyday English and also appears in writing.

What is the difference between miserable and unhappy?

Unhappy is milder. Miserable suggests a stronger, worse feeling.

← Dictionary

miserable

/ˈmɪz.ər.ə.bəl/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Very unhappy, uncomfortable, or in great pain. It can describe a person, an experience, or a situation that feels bad.

I felt miserable after the argument.
The weather was miserable all day.
She looked miserable in the waiting room.

Adinary Nuance

Miserable is stronger than sad and more emotional than unhappy. It often suggests pain, discomfort, or a situation that feels hard to bear. Compared with depressed, it is less clinical and more everyday. Compared with bad, it feels more personal and intense.

In other languages

Vietnamese: khổ sở
Spanish: miserable
Chinese: 痛苦的
Japanese: 惨めな
Korean: 비참한

Etymology

Miserable comes from Latin miserabilis, meaning “deserving pity” or “wretched.” It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.

Common phrases

feel miserablemiserable weathermiserable lifemiserable excuse

Synonyms

unhappy wretched miserable sad

Related words

sorrow pain lonely depressed

Frequently asked questions

Is miserable stronger than sad?: Yes. Miserable usually shows deeper unhappiness, discomfort, or distress than sad.
Can I use miserable for weather?: Yes. It often describes cold, wet, or unpleasant weather.
Is miserable formal or informal?: It is common in everyday English and also appears in writing.
What is the difference between miserable and unhappy?: Unhappy is milder. Miserable suggests a stronger, worse feeling.