What does dislikable mean?
Dislikable means unpleasant, objectionable, or otherwise likely to provoke a strong personal dislike. It is most often used to characterize people and their behavior, but it can also describe places, objects, institutions, or creative works when they are experienced as repellent rather than merely disappointing. The adjective carries a distinctly negative, often moral or social judgment: a “dislikable” colleague is not simply difficult to work with, while a “dislikable” fictional character is intentionally designed to provoke contempt. Nevertheless, the word need not imply hatred; it describes qualities that invite rejection or aversion, and its force depends heavily on context and the speaker’s attitude. Compared with “unpleasant,” “dislikable” is more personal and emotionally charged, and compared with “hateful” it is generally less extreme. The spelling is uncommon in modern English, where “dislikeable” is more frequent, although both forms are understood. Knowing the word is useful because it identifies not just an unwanted quality but one that actively produces dislike.
adjectiveUnpleasant, objectionable, or likely to provoke dislike.
- Unpleasant, objectionable, or likely to provoke dislike.
"His abrasive manner made him deeply dislikable."
"The committee found his abrasive manner highly dislikable."
"The novel's central character is so dislikable that the reader cannot help hoping he gets his just deserts."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does dislikable come from?
Dislikable is an English formation made by combining the verb dislike with the suffix -able. The suffix is used to form adjectives indicating that something can be or is fit to be acted upon in a particular way. The word belongs to the same broad English family as likeable, likability, and likableness; dislikeable is an alternative spelling rather than a distinct form with a different meaning.
How dislikable is actually used
This spelling is less common than “dislikeable” in modern English, although both forms are accepted. The word is often attributive but can also be used predicatively.
Easily confused with dislikable
This is an alternative spelling of the same adjective, with the same meaning and pronunciation.