Frustration
/frʌˈstreɪʃən/
Definitions
The feeling of being annoyed, disappointed, or angry because you cannot achieve something or because something is not working as you want it to.
/frʌˈstreɪʃən/
The feeling of being upset or annoyed as a result of inability to change or achieve something; the state of being frustrated.
He expressed his frustration at the lack of progress.
💡 Simply: It's that feeling you get when something's not going your way, like when your video game character keeps dying or you can't open a jar. It's a mix of annoyance and disappointment, like, 'Ugh, why isn't this working?'
👶 For kids: When you want to do something but it's not working, like when your blocks won't stay stacked. That's frustration!
More Examples
The project's delays caused considerable frustration among the team.
Her frustration grew as she realized she wouldn't be able to attend the concert.
How It's Used
"Frustration can lead to aggression or withdrawal."
"The long wait at the DMV caused a great deal of frustration."
Idioms & expressions
vent one's frustration
To express one's feelings of anger and annoyance.
"He went to the gym to vent his frustration after a stressful day at work."
boiling point (of frustration)
The point at which someone loses patience or control.
"The customer's frustration reached its boiling point after waiting on hold for an hour."
From Latin *frustratio* ('a deceiving, disappointing'), derived from *frustrare* ('to disappoint, frustrate'), from *frustra* ('in vain').
Used in literature and philosophical texts to describe the conflict between desires and reality since the late 18th century. Its psychological meaning developed further in the 20th century.
Memory tip
Imagine a frustrated person slamming their fist on a desk. This is a feeling of frustration.