chagrin

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'chagrin' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of disappointment, frustration and discouragement. Example: To my chagrin, I realized my car had a flat tire when I was already late for work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Watch here Much to the chagrin of older Green Day fans, who had the pleasure of pogoing/singing along to every word of the trio's much loved 1994 album, which the Cali punks played in its entirety, the youngsters were unimpressed.

The Guardian - Music

Much to the chagrin of Beltway insiders, he has unapologetically delivered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Heavy rolling was forbidden during matches a couple of years ago, much to the chagrin of batsmen up and down the land.

The Guardian - Sport

The North Kensington centre organised solicitors to provide a round-the-clock police station advice service, to the surprise and often the chagrin of the local cops.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clearly the IOC broadcasting panjandrums do not know much about the Radio 4 audience – which does not, on the whole, care about sport (to my chagrin).

The Guardian

So it was with some chagrin that we learned that English Heritage has turned Burgess down for a blue plaque on the house in Chiswick, west London, where he lived in the 60s.

The Guardian - Opinion

A Birmingham Tory voter admired them so much that, to the bewilderment and chagrin of the men in her family, she decided to cut off her long hair and got a bob – she called it her Greenham haircut.

The Guardian

To his chagrin, Stafford-Clark is obliged to bring the lights up to get the audience in and out, but he said firmly that if anyone needs a comfort break during the performance, "they can pee on the floor".

The Guardian

Yesterday, as the 16-month, £800,000 investigation ended - to the chagrin of the police - with the announcement that there would be no prosecutions, the CPS knew it had some explaining to do.

The Guardian

And to the chagrin of investors in the four countries, MILA has been hobbled by a lack of progress in harmonising rules.Optimists say that the alliance is only now coming into its own.

The Economist

Yet the revenue service reportedly impounded them and refused to release them until import duties and taxes were paid, apparently to the chagrin of the ruling party.Mr Zuma's presidency has at least four more years to run unless the ANC decides to "recall" him – as it did Mr Mbeki.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chagrin" to express disappointment specifically when plans or aims have failed, or when there's a lack of appreciation. It suggests a mix of annoyance and regret.

Common error

Avoid using "chagrin" for trivial disappointments. It's more appropriate for significant setbacks or failures, not minor inconveniences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "chagrin" is a noun, often used to describe a feeling of disappointment or vexation caused by failure or mistakes. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chagrin" is a versatile noun used to express disappointment, annoyance, or embarrassment, typically stemming from a failure or setback. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and formal writing. When using "chagrin", consider the level of disappointment you wish to convey, as it's more suitable for significant setbacks than trivial inconveniences. Related terms include "disappointment", "mortification", and "vexation", each carrying slightly different connotations. Remember that "to my chagrin" is the more common phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mortification

A feeling of great embarrassment and shame.

humiliation

The act of making someone feel ashamed and foolish.

disappointment

A general feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.

embarrassment

A feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness.

dismay

A feeling of shock and disappointment.

vexation

The state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried.

discomfiture

A feeling of unease or embarrassment.

frustration

The feeling of being upset or annoyed as a result of being unable to change or achieve something.

displeasure

A feeling of annoyance or disapproval.

irritation

The state of being annoyed, impatient, or slightly angry.

FAQs

How can I use "chagrin" in a sentence?

You can use "chagrin" to express disappointment or annoyance. For example, "To my chagrin, the event was canceled at the last minute".

What are some alternatives to "chagrin"?

You can use alternatives like "disappointment", "mortification", or "vexation", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "to my chagrin" or "with chagrin"?

Both "to my chagrin" and "with chagrin" are acceptable, but "to my chagrin" is more common in contemporary usage.

What is the difference between "chagrin" and "regret"?

"Chagrin" often implies a sense of annoyance or embarrassment alongside disappointment, while "regret" focuses more on sorrow or remorse for past actions or events.