Search Dictionary
Definition of misery

misery

/ˈmɪz.ər.i/
mis · er · y
Adverb:miserably
•
Plural:miseries
•
Adjective:miserable
JUMP TO:

misery Lexical Profile

misery Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A state or feeling of great physical or mental distress, unhappiness, or acute suffering.

Example

"The prolonged drought brought widespread economic misery to the farming community."

2

A cause or source of severe hardship, discomfort, or distress (often used in the plural).

Example

"Novelists of the nineteenth century frequently documented the daily miseries of industrial factory life."

3

British A person who is habitually gloomy, irritable, or constantly complaining (informal).

Example

"Don't be such an old misery—come out and celebrate with the rest of the team."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for misery
Antonyms
View all antonyms for misery

• Rhymes for misery

• Nearby Words

miserably
miserliness
miserly
misery
misestimate
misevaluate
misfield

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English via Old French miserie from Latin miseria ('wretchedness, affliction'), derived from the adjective miser ('wretched, unfortunate').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Misery. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/misery
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.