Dyspeptic
/dɪsˈpɛptɪk/
adjectiveC2
Definition
Dyspeptic means feeling bad in two main ways: one is having a stomach problem that makes digestion hard or painful; the other is describing someone who is often in a bad mood, grumpy, or easily annoyed. The word is often used to talk about a person’s mood, meaning they seem unhappy or angry without a clear reason.
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See It in Action
Relating to bad digestion or stomach discomfort
- •After eating too much, he felt dyspeptic and uncomfortable.
- •Dyspeptic symptoms include stomach pain and nausea.
- •Doctors often check for dyspeptic problems when patients have stomach issues.
Describing a person who is gloomy, irritable, or bad-tempered
- •The old man was dyspeptic and rarely smiled.
- •Her dyspeptic attitude made it hard for others to enjoy the meeting.
- •He gave a dyspeptic sigh and complained about everything.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "dyspeptic" like "upset," but more serious and often lasting longer, especially inside the stomach or in mood
- ✓Picture someone with a sour, unhappy face who looks like they might complain or be annoyed at small things
- ✓It's the feeling when your stomach hurts after eating too much, or when someone is in a bad mood and hard to please
- ✓Sounds like "dis-PEP-tic" → imagine a broken "pep" (energy or happiness) that is missing, making someone tired or grumpy
- ✓Imagine a grumpy old man in stories who always complains and looks unhappy—he might be called dyspeptic
- ✓NOT like "happy" or "cheerful" — dyspeptic is the opposite, showing discomfort or bad mood
- ✓NOT like "angry" (which can be sudden and strong) — dyspeptic mood is more like constant grumpiness or irritation
- ✓NOT only about mood — it can also mean physical stomach problems that make you feel uncomfortable after eating
Try Other Words
- •Irritable: easily annoyed or angry (Use when focusing on mood, less formal)
- •Upset: unhappy or worried (Use for general bad mood or physical discomfort)
- •Indigestion: stomach discomfort after eating (Use when talking about physical stomach problems)
- •Cranky: bad-tempered or easily annoyed (Use in informal situations about mood)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "dys-" (bad, difficult) + "peptic" (related to digestion)
- •Etymology: From Greek "dys-" meaning bad or difficult, and "peptikos" meaning able to digest
- •Historical development: Originally used in medicine to describe poor digestion; later extended to describe sour or bad moods
- •Modern usage: Used both in medical contexts for digestion problems and in literature or speech to describe gloomy, irritable people
- •Interesting fact: The word connects physical discomfort with mood, showing how body and feelings can be linked
Reflect & Connect
•How might physical discomfort, like indigestion, affect a person’s mood or behavior?
•Can you think of a time when feeling "dyspeptic" (either physically or emotionally) changed how you acted around others?
Fill in the blanks
1.After eating too much spicy food, she felt dyspeptic and ___ stomach pain and nausea.
2.His dyspeptic mood made him ___ to small mistakes during the meeting.
3.Unlike a quick anger, dyspeptic irritation is more ___ and lasts longer.
4.The doctor asked if the patient had any dyspeptic symptoms like ___ or discomfort after meals.
5.People often describe someone as dyspeptic when they are ___ and hard to please.
6.She tried to hide her dyspeptic feelings, but her ___ face showed her true mood.
7.Dyspeptic problems can be caused by ___ food or eating too quickly.