Word of the Day

: December 31, 2006

chagrin

noun shuh-GRIN

What It Means

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

chagrin in Context

It was with a great deal of chagrin that Lynette heard the news that her sister wasn't coming to her wedding.

Did You Know?

"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."