The term "miserable" describes a state of extreme unhappiness or discomfort. It can refer to emotional distress, such as feeling sad or hopeless, or physical discomfort, like being cold or unwell. People often use the word to express dissatisfaction with their circumstances or experiences. In literature and media, characters may be portrayed as miserable to evoke empathy or highlight their struggles. For example, Charles Dickens's character Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" embodies misery through his lonely and greedy lifestyle, which ultimately leads to his transformation.