ENGLISH
REFERENCE

frustration

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //fɹəˈstɹeɪʃən// UK //fɹʌstɹˈeɪʃən// frus·tra·tion

n. the feeling of being annoyed or upset because you cannot do what you want to do. It often happens when something is more difficult than you expected.

n. the feeling of being upset or annoyed as a result of being unable to change or achieve something. It can also refer to the prevention of the progress or success of something.


SIMPLE

He sighed in frustration when the computer crashed again.

CONTEXTUAL

The long delays at the airport caused a great deal of frustration among the passengers.

COMPLEX

The team's inability to secure funding led to a sense of deep frustration, as their innovative research was forced to a premature halt.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin frūstrātiō (“disappointment”), related to frūstrā (“in vain”). By surface analysis, frustrate + -ion.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general emotion; countable when referring to a specific instance or cause of annoyance.

© 2026 English Reference