- Today's Word
Chagrin
shuh-GRIN
Definition
(noun) A feeling of distress or embarrassment caused by failure or disappointment.
Example
To her chagrin, the carefully planned surprise party was spoiled by an accidental group text.
Word Origin
From French chagrin, meaning “sorrow” or “vexation,” possibly derived from a word for “rough skin” — like something that irritates.
Fun Fact
The word chagrin carries an emotional texture that’s more complex than simple embarrassment — it’s a blend of frustration, disappointment, and self-directed annoyance. In 17th-century France, chagrin described both emotional irritation and literal roughness, as if one’s pride had been rubbed raw. Writers often use it to show quiet, internal defeat rather than public humiliation — the kind that makes you wince later, long after the moment has passed.
