Frustrating
/ˈfrʌstreɪtɪŋ/
Definitions
Causing someone to feel annoyed, disappointed, or discouraged.
/ˈfrʌstreɪtɪŋ/
Causing feelings of annoyance, disappointment, and discouragement.
It's frustrating when you're trying to study and the neighbors are making a lot of noise.
💡 Simply: Imagine trying to build a tower with blocks, but they keep falling over. That feeling of annoyance and making things difficult is frustrating!
👶 For kids: Making you feel annoyed or upset because something is not working or is hard to do.
More Examples
The technical difficulties were incredibly frustrating, delaying the presentation.
Finding a parking spot downtown during rush hour can be a frustrating experience.
How It's Used
"The slow internet speed is incredibly frustrating."
"Dealing with bureaucratic red tape can be a frustrating experience."
Idioms & expressions
to add insult to injury
To make a bad situation even worse.
"Not only did I fail the test, but the teacher also publicly announced my score, adding insult to injury."
be at a loss
To be confused, puzzled, or unsure what to do.
"When the instructions were unclear, she was at a loss about how to proceed."
From the Latin frustrat-, past participle stem of frustrare ('to disappoint, deceive'), from frustra ('in vain').
The word 'frustrating' has been used since the early 17th century, evolving from the verb 'frustrate'. Its usage reflects the human experience of disappointment and setbacks.
Memory tip
Think of a situation where you feel like giving up because things aren't going your way.