French word

désespérément

Pronunciation

IPA/dezɛspeʁemɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbdesperately

Example

Il a cherché désespérément ses clés.

He searched desperately for his keys.

Illustration for désespérément (desperately)

More examples

Elle se bat désespérément pour son rêve.

She is fighting desperately for her dream.

Core concept

A determined effort made under pressure when success feels increasingly unlikely.

Common phrases

  • se battre désespérément

    fight desperately

  • vouloir désespérément

    want desperately

Similar words

à tout prix: With a willingness to use any means or make any sacrifice to succeed.
acharnément: With strong determination and persistent effort.

Definition in French

Agir ou tenter quelque chose sous l'effet d'une forte angoisse ou d'une perte d'espoir, de manière pressée et déterminée.

Word origin

Désespérément is a regular -ment adverb formed from désespéré, whose history leads back to the Latin verb desperare, to be without hope.

Usage tips

  • Désespérément can describe persistent effort as well as emotional distress, so it need not mean that the action has actually failed.

Other meanings

  • hopelesslyadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word