French word

dépit

Pronunciation

IPA/depi/

Meaning

  • masculine noundisappointment

Example

À mon dépit, le concert a été annulé.

To my disappointment, the concert was canceled.

Illustration for dépit (disappointment)

More examples

Il a exprimé son dépit après l'erreur.

He expressed his disappointment after the mistake.

Core concept

A bitter knot in the chest when a hoped-for outcome is spoiled by disappointment or unfairness.

Common phrases

  • exprimer son dépit

    express his disappointment

Similar words

regret: Sadness about something that happened or about one's own actions.
déception: The feeling of disappointment when something expected does not happen.
frustration: Irritation and impatience when a desire or aim is not fulfilled.
amertume: A lingering bitterness after hopes or wishes have been disappointed.

Definition in French

État de regret amer ou de contrariété causé par une déception ou une injustice.

Word origin

French dépit comes from Old French despit, from Latin despectus, "contempt," and later developed its current sense of bitter frustration.

Usage tips

  • In à mon dépit, the possessive phrase means "to my dismay" and has a literary tone; everyday French often uses à ma grande déception instead.

Other meanings

  • dissatisfactionnoun
  • spitenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word