incommodious

American  

[in-kuh-moh-dee-uhs] / ˌɪn kəˈmoʊ di əs /

adjective

1. inconvenient, as not affording sufficient space or room; uncomfortable.

   incommodious hotel accommodations.

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incommodious British  

/ ˌɪnkəˈməʊdɪəs /

adjective

1. insufficiently spacious; cramped

2. troublesome or inconvenient

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Other Word Forms

• incommodiously adverb
• incommodiousness noun

Etymology

Origin of incommodious

First recorded in 1545–55; in- ³ + commodious

Explanation

Incommodious is an adjective that describes something that is uncomfortable or inconvenient, especially by being awkwardly small. If you had visions of a roomy office coming with your new promotion, guess again. The new incommodious space barely has room for a desk and a chair! Incommodious is made up of the Latin root words in, meaning "not," and commodious from commodiosus, meaning "useful or convenient." Because commodious in English has a meaning of roomy and spacious, incommodious sometimes takes the opposite meaning of small and cramped. However, incommodious can refer to anything that is inconvenient. You may have to make an incommodious trip to the dentist if you break a tooth.

Example Sentences

The industry first consolidated and then, under the auspices of Harold Wilson and Roy Jenkins, started its collapse into the relatively incommodious entity it is today.

From The Guardian • Aug. 29, 2012

Within, the stockade was cramped, some five hundred men gathered in a small and incommodious yard between tents.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Upon an incommodious seat Arranged in form of a pagoda Caron presents a magistrate, By his huge wig and linen collar.

From Beaumarchais and the War of American Independence by Kite, Elizabeth S.

Such therefore only will be subject to this Regulation, whose Habitations by the Closeness of them are in all Respects very incommodious for diseased Persons.

From A Discourse on the Plague by Mead, Richard

On the other hand the land journey is exceedingly expensive; and beyond France the trains are very incommodious as regards hours, speed, and connections.

From The Story of Eclipses by Chambers, George F. (George Frederick)