Disgust Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈdɪs.gʌst/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A strong and involuntary feeling of distaste, revulsion, or aversion, often triggered by something considered unpleasant, unclean, or morally reprehensible.

Examples

• The smell of rotten food filled me with disgust.
• The politician’s scandal evoked disgust from many of the public.

Synonyms

• Abhorrence
• Repulsion
• Loathing

Antonyms

• Likability
• Pleasingness
• Acceptance

Etymology

The word “Disgust” comes from the Old French word “desgouster”, meaning “to lose taste”, which is derived from the Latin words “des-” (meaning “to destroy” or “to take away”) and “gustus” (meaning “taste” or “flavor”).

Additional Information

Disgust is a fundamental emotional response that plays a critical role in humans’ ability to avoid potential threats to their well-being and survival. It is often linked to the concept of contamination, and can be triggered by a wide range of stimuli, including sights, sounds, smells, and even moral violations. In social psychology, disgust is studied as a moral emotion that helps individuals distinguish right from wrong and maintain social norms and values.

Disgust can be a fleeting response, but it can also be a chronic condition that affects an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. In extreme cases, it can lead to conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Usage Notes

Disgust is often used to describe a feeling of revulsion or distaste that is triggered by something considered unpleasant or offensive. It can also be used to describe a moral or ethical revulsion towards something.

It is important to note that disgust is often culturally and personally relative, and what may be considered disgusting by one person may not be so by another.

Cultural References

• The character of Iago in Shakespeare’s play Othello is often portrayed as a master of inspiring disgust in others.
• In the TV show Friends, the character Ross’s pet monkey Marley is often the source of disgust for his friends.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Feel your stomach turn” – to feel disgust or revulsion
• “Get a bad taste” – to develop a feeling of disgust or dislike

Related Words or Phrases

• Revulsion
• Repugnance
• Abhorrence

Collocations

• feel a sense of disgust
• overcome with disgust
• indignation and disgust

Frequency of Use

The word “disgust” is commonly used in everyday language and is found in many contexts, including literature, film, and everyday conversation.

Common Misspellings

Some common misspellings of “disgust” include “disgues”, “disguest”, and “diskust”.