Etymology

From , from Dial Fr chagraigner "to be gloomy, distress" from chat "cat" + from , a loan translation of Katzenjammer "drunken hang-over" [from Katzen "cats'" + Jammer "distress, sorrow, lament"]. Akin to , ( > ), , . Another theory derives French chagrin from the verb chagriner, in its turn from , which is of origin and cognate to .. More at cat, grim, grimace, grin, yammer. The OED 2d states that the original meaning of chagrin was "rough skin" (now preserved in the word shagreen) and that in French the word "became by metaphor the expression for gnawing trouble."

Noun

1. Distress of mind caused by a failure of aims or plans, want of appreciation, mistakes etc; vexation or mortification.
   • 1876, Louisa May Alcott, Rose In Bloom, ch. 8:

     [H]e alone knew how deep was the deluded man's chagrin at the failure of the little plot which he fancied was prospering finely.

Verb

1. To bother or vex; to mortify.

   She was chagrined to note that the paint had dried into a blotchy mess.

Etymology

From , perhaps from , akin to German

Adjective

1. despondent, woeful
2. disgruntled, morose