a little disgusting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little disgusting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is mildly unpleasant or off-putting. Example: "The smell coming from the garbage was a little disgusting, making it hard to stay in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And also: the Angelos of the world are fallible, and even a little disgusting — but not necessarily irredeemable.

The New Yorker

It's a little disgusting (although with enough mustard you can eat almost anything), but it's also pretty brilliant.

The New Yorker

It is about a girl called Mabel Jones, who after doing something a little disgusting is sucked up into a magical world with pirates and ends up as part of the motley crew on the ship, The Feroshus Maggot.

The Guardian

The official tagline for the product is: "It is a little disgusting but just try it!

TechCrunch

I know this sounds a little disgusting and messy, but if I could, I'd like to have Ringo's tonsils preservee in famaldihide.

Huffington Post

Every time we hit a new high these guys crawl out of the woodwork when the lights come on, like cockroaches in a dirty motel (maybe that was a little disgusting).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As the world stared in fascination, disbelief and not a little disgust at America's marathon election drama, his bullet-shaped head became a staple on television as he was approached by stations from upstate New York to the British Broadcasting Corporation.

The New York Times

Yes, it says, I'm stupid and reckless and a little bit disgusting – and hey, so are you.

Independent

"I'm frankly a little bit disgusted by that," Kelly O'Dwyer, the minister for women, countered in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The New York Times

That's where the story might have ended for most of us: a little impotent disgust about the poaching of gorillas; maybe a few angry tweets; or a blog post if extra motivated.

The New York Times

Why should I come here?" A manager of the Gristede's, looking on with a little more disgust, said: "He gets a ticket, they raise their prices, I raise mine and so you end up paying his ticket".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little disgusting", consider your audience. This phrase is suitable for informal settings but might be too casual for formal writing. Choose a more refined term like "somewhat unappealing" for professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a little disgusting" in academic papers or business reports. It lacks the precision and professionalism required. Opt for more descriptive and nuanced language to convey your meaning effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little disgusting" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree to which something evokes disgust, indicating a mild level of unpleasantness. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little disgusting" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express a mild sense of unpleasantness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples show it appearing in various contexts, particularly within News & Media. While relatively uncommon, it effectively conveys a negative evaluation that falls short of strong revulsion. For more formal situations, alternatives like "somewhat unappealing" or "slightly distasteful" may be more suitable. Avoid overusing "a little disgusting" in formal academic or business settings. Understanding the subtle nuances of this phrase helps writers to express themselves clearly and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly distasteful

Replaces "disgusting" with "distasteful" softening the negative connotation.

mildly repulsive

Substitutes "disgusting" with "repulsive", indicating a sense of aversion, though still mild.

a bit revolting

Replaces "disgusting" with "revolting", highlighting a feeling of strong aversion.

somewhat unpleasant

Uses a more general term "unpleasant" to describe something that is not particularly pleasing.

a touch gross

Employs the word "gross" to suggest something unpleasant, maintains the informal tone.

rather off-putting

Implies that something discourages or creates a negative impression.

kind of sickening

Indicates something that induces nausea or strong dislike.

slightly nauseating

Suggests something that makes one feel sick or queasy, lessening the intensity.

slightly offensive

Indicates that something is somewhat disagreeable or offends one's sensibilities.

marginally objectionable

Uses a more formal tone to express that something is to some extent unacceptable.

FAQs

What does "a little disgusting" mean?

The phrase "a little disgusting" describes something that is mildly unpleasant or off-putting. It suggests a weaker degree of revulsion compared to simply calling something "disgusting".

How can I use "a little disgusting" in a sentence?

You can use "a little disgusting" to describe a smell, sight, taste, or even a behavior that you find somewhat unpleasant. For example: "The leftover food in the fridge had a "slightly nauseating" odor."

What are some alternatives to "a little disgusting"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "somewhat unpleasant", "mildly repulsive", or "slightly distasteful" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "a little disgusted" instead of "a little disgusting"?

"A little disgusted" describes a feeling of disgust, while "a little disgusting" describes something that causes a feeling of disgust. They have different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably.