noun / verb
chagrin
shuh-GRIN/ʃəˈɡrɪn/
Distress or embarrassment caused by disappointment or failure, or causing this feeling.
The collapsed cake fills the baker with chagrin.
Etymology
French chagrin expressed melancholy, anxiety, or vexation. English narrowed this general distress to the mortification or disappointment felt when aims or plans fail.
In context
clear and convincing, and the appellet court could find nothing wrong procedurally with the trial. The hanging was delayed a few weeks, but eventually was carried out, much to the chagrin of the men's fathers.
More examples
- She was chagrined by her careless error.
- His public correction caused considerable chagrin.
- It chagrined her to discover that she had missed the deadline.
Forms
chagrin · chagrins · chagrined · chagrining
Similar words
- embarrassment
- Embarrassment is broad; chagrin specifically follows failure, disappointment, or being shown wrong.
- disappointment
- Disappointment concerns unmet hopes; chagrin adds a sting of humiliation or vexation.