# chagrin

/ʃəˈɡɹɪn/ (US) · /ʃˈæɡɹɪn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chagrin
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a feeling of being embarrassed or upset because you failed to do something or someone else did something better than you. It is a more formal word than 'embarrassment'.

For teachers: a state of mental distress or humiliation resulting from a failure or a perceived slight. Often used in literary or formal contexts to describe a more profound emotional reaction than simple embarrassment.

## Examples

- He felt a sense of chagrin when he lost the race.
- The manager felt a deep sense of chagrin after realizing the error in the final report.
- The diplomat's face fell into a deep chagrin as he realized his carefully prepared speech had been leaked to the press hours before the event.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.