dismay
dihs-MAY
Dismay (noun) means a strong feeling of sudden worry, disappointment, or discouragement. Example: “To her dismay, the flight had already been cancelled.”
noun
1
A strong feeling of sudden worry, disappointment, or discouragement.
"To her dismay, the flight had already been cancelled."
verb
1
To fill someone with worry, disappointment, or a sudden loss of confidence.
"The news of the layoffs dismayed the entire office."
How to use dismay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSudden shock combined with disappointment or worry.
Common pairings
to her dismay
much to my dismay
a look of dismay
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like dismay.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- dismays
- Past tense
- dismayed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
To her _____, the flight had already been cancelled.
Etymology
From Old French esmaier, "to frighten," probably from a Vulgar Latin word meaning "to deprive of strength" — ultimately related to the same root as "may" and "main" (as in "with might and main").
Synonyms
View more →
alarm
depress
appal
deject
appall
horrify
get down
dispirit
cast down
demoralize
demoralise
consternation
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dismay
See all rhymes for dismay →Frequently asked questions
What does “dismay” mean?
The word “dismay” means a strong feeling of sudden worry, disappointment, or discouragement. In plain terms, sudden shock combined with disappointment or worry.
How do you pronounce “dismay”?
“Dismay” is pronounced dihs-MAY (/dɪsˈmeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dismay” in a sentence?
Here is “dismay” used in a sentence: “To her dismay, the flight had already been cancelled.”
What part of speech is “dismay”?
Depending on how it is used, “dismay” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dismay” come from?
The word “dismay” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French esmaier, "to frighten," probably from a Vulgar Latin word meaning "to deprive of strength" — ultimately related to the same root as "may" and "main" (as in "with might and main").
Is “dismay” a common word?
“Dismay” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “dismay” have?
“Dismay” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong feeling of sudden worry, disappointment, or discouragement.
