despair

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a state in which all hope is lost or absent
  2. noun the feeling that everything is wrong and nothing will turn out well
  3. verb abandon hope; give up hope; lose heart

Etymology

From Middle English dispeir, from Anglo-Norman despeir and Old French desperer (from Latin dēspērō, dēspērāre), or desesperer, from des- (“dis-”) + esperer (“hope”). See also desperate. Displaced native Old English ormōdnes (“despair”) and Old English ortrīewan (“to despair”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

desperation

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