What is chagrined? Pronunciation and usage in English

chagrined means . Learn how to pronounce and use chagrined through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of chagrined

chagrinedadjective

/ˈʃæɡrɪnd//ʃəˈɡrɪnd/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "chagrined." It's a tricky word! Here's a breakdown of the sounds and a few ways to approach it:

1. Phonetic Transcription (Closest to how a native speaker would say it):

  • ˈtʃæɡrɪnd (This is using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA)

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈtʃ - This is the "ch" sound as in "chair." It's a voiceless palatal fricative.
  • æ - This is the "a" sound as in "cat" or "hat." It's a short, open vowel.
  • ɡ - This is a hard "g" sound as in "go."
  • rɪ - This is a quick, unstressed "ri" sound, like in "rib."
  • nd - This is the "nd" sound, as in "hand."

2. How to Say it Step-by-Step:

  1. "Ch": Start with the familiar "ch" sound - like in "chair."
  2. "a": Make a short, sharp "a" sound as in "cat."
  3. "g": Say the hard "g" as in "go."
  4. "ri": Quickly say "ri" - almost like you're saying "ridge" very fast, but softer.
  5. "nd": Finish with the "nd" as in "hand."

3. Tips & Common Mistakes:

4. Meaning:

"Chagrined" means feeling disappointed and upset, often because of something humiliating or embarrassing.

To help me give you even more targeted pronunciation advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you having trouble with a specific part of the word (like the "ch" sound, or the "ri")?

Usage and examples with the word chagrined in English

Let's break down how to use the word "chagrined." It's a delightful word that describes a specific kind of feeling – and it's less common than words like "sad" or "disappointed."

1. Meaning of "Chagrined"

"Chagrined" means feeling distressed or humiliated, typically because of something foolish or embarrassing that has happened. It suggests a sense of shame and disappointment mixed with a touch of awkwardness. It's more nuanced than simply being upset; it’s about a feeling of having your pride or expectations wounded.

2. How to Use It – Examples

Here's how to incorporate "chagrined" into sentences, with examples to illustrate different contexts:

  • Basic Usage (feeling embarrassed): "He was chagrined when he realized he'd worn mismatched socks to the important meeting." (He was embarrassed and felt foolish.)

  • Feeling Humiliated by a Mistake: "She was chagrined to have tripped and spilled coffee on her boss." (She felt ashamed and embarrassed by her clumsiness.)

  • Disappointment in Oneself: “He felt chagrined by his own lack of preparation for the presentation.” (He felt disappointed in himself and his own actions.)

  • Disappointment in Someone Else's Behavior: “The children were chagrined by their father’s outburst at the restaurant.” (They felt a sense of shame and disapproval regarding their father’s behavior.)

  • A More Subtle, Poignant Feeling: “She was chagrined that her carefully planned surprise party had been ruined by a sudden rainstorm.” (There's a sense of sadness and disappointment blended with the awkwardness of the ruined plans.)

3. Synonyms (Words with Similar Meanings)

Here are some words that can be used instead of "chagrined," depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey:

  • Ashamed: Stronger emphasis on feeling guilty.
  • Humiliated: Focuses on the feeling of being brought low.
  • Disheartened: More about a loss of spirit or motivation.
  • Disappointed: A general feeling of sadness when something doesn't go as planned.
  • Abashed: Feeling shy or embarrassed.
  • Mortified: Extreme embarrassment.

4. When Not to Use It

“Chagrined” isn't appropriate for every upsetting situation. It's best suited for situations involving minor embarrassment, foolish mistakes, or disappointment that carries a touch of awkwardness. If you’re describing a deep, profound sadness, grief, or anger, “chagrined” is likely too gentle.

5. Putting it in a Sentence - Practice!

Let's try some examples:

  • "After accidentally sending the wrong email to the entire company, Mark was utterly chagrined."
  • "She felt chagrined when her best friend revealed her secret."
  • "The actor was chagrined by the negative reviews of his latest film."

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of usage?
  • Help you practice using "chagrined" in a sentence?
  • Explain how it compares to another similar word (like "disappointed")?

Synonyms for the word chagrined

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