Definition and meaning of English word "despair"
despair
/dɪˈspɛər/
Meaning
NounLoss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.
How to use
The term 'despair' is often used in emotional or psychological contexts to describe a state of hopelessness. It's essential to note that 'despair' can be both a noun and a verb, but the verb form is less common. A common learner mistake is to confuse 'despair' with 'desperate', which has a different connotation.
🇬🇧 English
despair
Example
He turned around in despair, aware that he was not going to survive
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- a state of despair— a state of despair
- feel despair— feel despair
- despair of success— despair of success
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This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #1388 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "despair" mean?▼
The English word "despair" means "despair" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "despair"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "despair" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "despair"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "He turned around in despair, aware that he was not going to survive" (which translates as "despair").
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