chagall: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary; somewhat dated in modern colloquial speech.
Quick answer
What does “chagall” mean?
To cause someone to feel annoyed, frustrated, or disappointed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cause someone to feel annoyed, frustrated, or disappointed.
A feeling of irritation or resentment due to a slight, failure, or disappointment. In formal/literary use, can describe an emotional disturbance or vexation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Rare in modern American spoken English, more likely encountered in British literary contexts. Slightly higher frequency in American English as a noun ('a chagrin', 'with chagrin').
Connotations
British usage retains stronger association with social embarrassment or wounded dignity. American usage slightly more associated with professional or competitive disappointment.
Frequency
Low frequency in both variants. More common in written than spoken language.
Grammar
How to Use “chagall” in a Sentence
[Sb] feels chagrin at [sth/doing sth][Sb] is chagrined to find/discover/learn [that...][Sb] does [sth] to [Sb]'s chagrinVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chagall” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was chagrined to learn her application had been overlooked.
- It chagrined him profoundly to ask for help.
American English
- He was chagrined by the sudden drop in his performance reviews.
- The team was chagrined to lose in the final seconds.
adverb
British English
- He admitted, rather chagrinedly, that he had forgotten.
- She smiled chagrinedly at her own mistake.
American English
- He chagrinedly conceded the argument.
- She chagrinedly accepted the criticism.
adjective
British English
- A chagrined expression crossed his face.
- She offered a chagrined apology for the oversight.
American English
- He gave a chagrined shrug when his error was pointed out.
- The chagrined CEO announced the restructuring.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Expressing professional disappointment, e.g., 'To the board's chagrin, quarterly targets were missed.'
Academic
Describing scholarly reactions to failed hypotheses or peer critique.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; may sound formal or ironic.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chagall”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chagall”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chagall”
- Using it as a verb without the '-ed' participle ('He chagrined' is wrong; correct: 'He was chagrined'). Overusing in informal contexts. Confusing with 'shagreen' (a type of leather).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered formal or literary. In everyday speech, words like 'annoyance', 'disappointment', or 'frustration' are more common.
Yes, but only in its past participle form 'chagrined' (meaning 'made to feel chagrin'), usually in a passive construction (e.g., 'He was chagrined'). You cannot say 'It chagrins me' in standard modern usage.
Chagrin involves annoyance or disappointment mixed with embarrassment, often due to a personal failure or wounded pride. Embarrassment is more focused on the social awkwardness or self-consciousness itself.
No, 'chagrin' is exclusively negative. Its antonyms are words like 'delight' or 'satisfaction'.
To cause someone to feel annoyed, frustrated, or disappointed.
Chagall is usually formal, literary; somewhat dated in modern colloquial speech. in register.
Chagall: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃæɡ.rɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃəˈɡrɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Much to my chagrin,...”
- “Hide one's chagrin behind a smile.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CHEETAH GRINNING (sounds like 'chagrin') at you after beating you in a race – you feel annoyed and humiliated.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHAGRIN IS A BITTER PILL TO SWALLOW / CHAGRIN IS A BURDEN ON THE HEART.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'chagrin' correctly?