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chagrin

noun

/ˈʃaɡrɪn/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of chagrin

A feeling of embarrassment, humiliation, or distress caused by a sense of disappointment, failure, or inadequacy.
"The chagrin of being criticized in front of the whole team was hard for him to bear."

Detailed meaning of chagrin

It is often experienced when one's expectations or hopes have not been met, leading to a sense of vexation or irritation with oneself or a situation. Chagrin typically arises from the realization that one has made a mistake or has been unsuccessful in some way, and it is often accompanied by a sense of self-reproach or annoyance. People may feel chagrin in both personal and professional contexts, such as when they fall short of their own standards or when they encounter unexpected setbacks. This complex emotion can range from mild annoyance to deep embarrassment, depending on the circumstances and individual sensitivities.

Example sentences containing chagrin

1. His public blunder filled him with deep chagrin, and he couldn't shake off the embarrassment for weeks.
2. She couldn't hide her profound chagrin after the team's unexpected loss in the championship game.
3. The defeat in the finals was a source of great chagrin for the dedicated athletes who had worked so hard.
4. He bore his chagrin with admirable grace, accepting the setback as a learning opportunity.
5. Chagrin painted her face with a vivid blush after she realized she had mispronounced the CEO's name.
6. Their collective chagrin was palpable in the somber atmosphere of the meeting room.

History and etymology of chagrin

The noun 'chagrin' has its roots in French, specifically from the word 'chagrin,' which means 'grief' or 'sorrow.' This French term was likely borrowed from the Middle English word 'chagreyn,' which was influenced by the Old North French word 'chagrin,' meaning 'melancholy.' The ultimate origin of 'chagrin' can be traced to the Turkish word 'çaḡrı,' which means 'thorn' or 'spine.' In English, 'chagrin' came to represent a feeling of embarrassment, humiliation, or distress caused by a sense of disappointment, failure, or inadequacy, reflecting the notion of discomfort or irritation akin to the sensation of being pricked by a thorn. The etymology of 'chagrin' thus highlights the connection between emotional discomfort and the prickly, unpleasant feelings it can evoke, similar to the sensation of a thorn's touch.

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Further usage examples of chagrin

1. The costly error in the project was a cause of deep chagrin for the project manager and the team.
2. She did her best to conceal her chagrin with a forced smile, but her disappointment was evident.
3. He struggled to hide his chagrin when his proposal was rejected by the board.
4. The sense of chagrin lingered long after the mishap, affecting team morale.
5. His chagrin was evident in his prolonged silence and distant gaze during the meeting.
6. She faced her chagrin with resilience, vowing to bounce back stronger from her setback.
7. He couldn't escape the relentless grip of his sense of chagrin, which haunted his thoughts.
8. The disappointment left them in a state of profound chagrin, overshadowing their achievements.
9. Chagrin over the loss was hard to bear, as it came after months of dedicated preparation.
10. She tried to mask her chagrin in vain, and her friends could see through her facade.
11. His chagrin was etched on his face, visible in the downturned corners of his mouth.
12. They shared a moment of mutual chagrin, acknowledging their joint responsibility for the project's failure.
13. Chagrin washed over the team as they realized their hard work had not yielded the desired results.
14. The chagrin of missing the deadline weighed heavily on the project manager, who took full responsibility for the delay.
15. Despite her best efforts to hide her chagrin, her disappointed sigh gave her away.
16. The chagrin of forgetting his lines on stage haunted him for years.
17. Their chagrin was compounded by the realization that they had overlooked a critical detail.
18. He masked his chagrin with humor, making light of the embarrassing situation.
19. Chagrin gnawed at her, making it difficult to focus on anything else.
20. The chagrin of losing the competition was softened by the camaraderie among the participants.
21. Her chagrin was amplified by the fact that her mistake had been witnessed by the entire office.
22. They tried to find solace in each other's chagrin, knowing they were not alone in their disappointment.
23. Chagrin turned to determination as they resolved to learn from their mistakes and improve.
24. The chagrin of the failed experiment was a bitter pill to swallow, but it drove them to seek innovative solutions.