August 2, 2011 - Word of the Day: upset

The word "upset" has many different shades of meaning in English. As an adjective, the meaning might change depending on the situation:

• Bertha's upset because her computer isn't working properly. (She's not happy or she's frustrated.)
• John is upset because his kids aren't listening to him. (He's mad.)
• The visitors to the camp were upset by the sight of starving children. (They were very disturbed.)
• Ken was upset by the news of his mother's death. (He was emotionally distraught)
• The sudden change of weather upset our plans to go to the beach. (The plans had to be changed.)
• My stomach is upset. (It hurts.)

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