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Added 9 October 2026

misery

/ˈmɪz(ə)ɹɪ/ noun

In Latin: miseria Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about misery at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Great unhappiness; extreme pain of body or mind; wretchedness; distress; woe.
Ever since his wife left him you can see the misery on his face.
A bodily ache or pain.
Cause of misery; calamity; misfortune.

Origin

From Middle English miserie, from Old French miserie (modern: misère), from Latin miseria, from miser, equivalent to miser + -y. Doublet of misère and mizeria.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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