chagrin

noun

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cha·grin | \ shə-ˈgrin

, British usually ˈsha-grin \

Definition of chagrin

(Entry 1 of 2)

: disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure

chagrin

verb

chagrined\ shə-ˈgrind

, British usually ˈsha-grind \; chagrining\ shə-ˈgri-niŋ

, British usually ˈsha-gri-niŋ \

Definition of chagrin (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to vex or unsettle by disappointing or humiliating he was chagrined to learn that his help was not needed

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Did You Know?

Noun

Chagrin comes from French, in which it means "grief," "sorrow," or essentially the same thing as our "chagrin," and in which it is also an adjective meaning "sad." Some etymologists have linked this "chagrin" with another French chagrin, meaning "rough leather or "rough skin." Supposedly, the rough leather used to rub, polish, or file became a metaphor in French for agitating situations. English-speakers have also adopted the leathery "chagrin" into our language but have altered the spelling to "shagreen."

Examples of chagrin in a Sentence

Noun As many a woman has learned to her chagrin, pathological liars are brilliant at deception. — Katha Pollitt, Nation, 16 June 2003 In World War I, to his chagrin, Eisenhower again found himself on the sidelines, performing training duties stateside while Pershing, MacArthur, and Patton earned their battle ribbons. — U.S. News & World Report, 16 Mar. 1998 In 1628, to the chagrin of Governor William Bradford, the Pilgrims erected an 80-foot Maypole, danced around it, drank beer, and sang. — E. C. Krupp, Sky & Telescope, May 1994 Imagine my chagrin when a whiz kid from Dayton made all A's in the first quarter while I made two B's and a C+. — John Hope Franklin, Race and History, 1989 The fact that he'd been unable to attend the funeral was a source of chagrin for Ted. She had gained five pounds over the winter, much to her chagrin. He decided to get a tattoo, to the chagrin of his parents.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Hazy IPA has ruled the craft beer roost in recent years (much to the chagrin of some of us). — Adam Lukach, chicagotribune.com, "What we’re drinking this weekend: Raising a glass for blazing 45-degree highs and the pesky Golden Globes," 26 Feb. 2021 And Will Hurd, of course, that's to probably -- to the chagrin of Mr. Hurd. — NBC News, "Meet the Press - February 21, 2021," 21 Feb. 2021 Alexa’s new spherical shape, a woman imagines that her new Alexa has the voice — and body — of actor Michael B. Jordan, who takes off his shirt to dim the lights and read an audio book to her in the tub, all to the chagrin of her hapless husband. — Mae Anderson, Anchorage Daily News, "Super Bowl ads to watch: Newcomers, old favorites and some surprises," 5 Feb. 2021 It was ruled that Memphis forced a jump ball, much to the chagrin of Jolly, the SMU bench, and the fans. — Sam Blum, Dallas News, "After blowing big lead, SMU comes back to pick up big 67-65 win over Memphis," 28 Jan. 2021 The Legislature quickly capitulated — to the chagrin of some advocates who once cheered them. — Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, "As legislators scrambled, Baker gained an edge in what became law," 25 Jan. 2021 This is a story of a young child who follows his prophetic dreams and becomes a Buddhist monk, much to the chagrin of his Brahman family. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "The Fast Forward 2020 Winter Bookies reading list," 4 Jan. 2021 This team has stunningly won two straight after dropping its first 13 games – though those victories have come much to the chagrin of NYJ fans certain their suffering would whisk Lawrence north in 2021. — Nate Davis, USA TODAY, "NFL hot seat index: Five coaches who could be in trouble once 2020 season ends," 29 Dec. 2020 To the chagrin of many, the victory over the Eagles officially puts an end to any potential tanking, as there’s a good chance the Cowboys will finish with a pick outside the top-10 in the 2021 NFL draft even with a loss next week. — John Owning, Dallas News, "Film room: 3 things we learned from Cowboys-Eagles, including a new defensive wrinkle Mike Nolan deserves credit for," 28 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb She and others were chagrined to see the board all but gutted, at a moment when the transportation agency is grappling with COVID-19 — and hemorrhaging money. — Rachel Swan, SFChronicle.com, "Power struggle in City Hall reduces SFMTA board to four members," 14 May 2020 Despite a scolding from the governor chagrined by news photos that seemed to show unsafe clusters of beachgoers the weekend before, many of who had driven in from L.A., Newport Beach leaders voted 5-2 to keep the beach open. — Los Angeles Times, "In beach closure, some in Orange County see overbearing hand of the ‘nanny state’," 2 May 2020 This chagrins and disgusts some Ukrainians, who want sorely to get rid of that culture, or subculture. — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, "Ukraine and Us," 19 Dec. 2019 Just over three months later, the Bruins again were chagrined to lose No. — Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, "Blues’ Stanley Cup blueprint: Don’t expect league to follow suit," 15 June 2019 Museum officials, chagrined that some 60 percent of visitors voted in favor of torture, dropped the survey, after deciding the topic was too complex for a yes-no question. — Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, "‘The Report’ and the Untold Story of a Senate-C.I.A. Conflict," 15 Nov. 2019 Klobuchar said of Gabbard, visibly chagrined that the spotlight might shift away from her Iowa tour. — Alexandra Jaffe, Twin Cities, "Amy Klobuchar tries to turn debate spotlight into momentum in Iowa," 21 Oct. 2019 Klobuchar said of Gabbard, visibly chagrined that the spotlight might shift away from her Iowa tour. — Alexandra Jaffe, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Klobuchar tries to turn debate spotlight into momentum," 21 Oct. 2019 Amazon made the news of the pullout public on Thursday, leaving Mr. Cuomo and the deal’s other biggest supporter, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, stunned and chagrined. — Katie Honan, WSJ, "Amazon’s New York Project Foundered on Labor Organizing, Opposition to Subsidies," 16 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chagrin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

2 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Chagrin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chagrin. Accessed 4 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for chagrin

chagrin

noun

English Language Learners Definition of chagrin

: a feeling of being frustrated or annoyed because of failure or disappointment

See the full definition for chagrin in the English Language Learners Dictionary

chagrin

noun

cha·grin | \ shə-ˈgrin

Kids Definition of chagrin

: a feeling of being annoyed by failure or disappointment … curiosity soon overcame any chagrin he felt at not being allowed to pass the doorway.— Brian Jacques, Redwall

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