What does chagrin mean?
Word: Chagrin
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Chagrin means a let-down, cross feeling when something has gone wrong for you.
Synonyms: vexation
How do you spell chagrin?
Syllables: cha - grin
Tricky part: The word opens with an sh sound but is written with ch, the French way. Chef and brochure do the same thing.
Watch out for: chagrine, chagrinn
Memory tip: A French chef whose soup has boiled over would feel this. Chef and this word open with the same sound and the same two letters.
Chagrin in a sentence
Example 1: To my chagrin, I reached the station just as the train pulled out.
Example 2: Much to Nisha's chagrin, her brother finished the jigsaw without her.
Example 3: The captain hid his chagrin and shook hands with the winning team.
Fun Fact
English borrowed this word from French in the 1600s. In French today it means sadness, so the English word is the milder of the two.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word chagrin as used in the sentence:
Much to the chagrin of Kabir, the library shut for lunch just as he arrived.
a) irritation
b) dismay
c) delight
d) annoyance
Show answer
c) delight. Delight is pleasure, the reverse of Kabir's feeling; the others are close to it.
Word Cookie
Choose the letters that complete the word:
ch_gr_n
a) o, i
b) a, i
c) e, i
d) a, e
Show answer
b) a, i. Short a as in hat, then the short i of thin.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
chaggrin
a) r
b) a
c) g
d) h
Show answer
c) g. Just one g stands before the r.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is misspelt. Choose the meaning of that word:
1. predicament 2. dilema 3. chagrin 4. embarrassment
a) an awkward, shy feeling in front of others
b) a hard choice between two options
c) being vexed after a setback
d) a difficult situation with no easy way out
Show answer
b) a hard choice between two options. Dilemma has a double m; the other three words are correct.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which pair of feelings does this word bring together?
a) calm and contentment
b) pride and happiness
c) disappointment and annoyance
d) surprise and delight
Show answer
c) disappointment and annoyance
2. Which event would most likely cause this feeling?
a) missing the bus by ten seconds
b) eating dinner at seven as usual
c) finding a lost pen under the desk
d) winning the inter-house quiz
Show answer
a) missing the bus by ten seconds
