frustrated
Frustrated (adjective) means Annoyed and discouraged because you cannot do or get what you want. Example: “She was getting frustrated with the printer.”
How to use frustrated
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnnoyed because something is stopping you from doing what you want.
Neutral — equally at home in everyday speech and in writing.
People are frustrated; things are frustrating. If you say "I am frustrating," you have said you are the problem.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was getting _____ with the printer.
Etymology
The past participle of "frustrate," which came into English in the fifteenth century from Latin "frustrat-," the past-participial stem of "frustrari" (to disappoint or deceive), itself from "frustra," meaning "in vain."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for frustrated
See all rhymes for frustrated →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between frustrated and frustrating?
You are frustrated; the thing is frustrating. "Frustrated" describes how a person feels, and "frustrating" describes what causes the feeling — so "I was frustrated by the frustrating instructions." Saying "I am frustrating" means you are the one annoying everybody else.
Is it frustrated with, frustrated by, or frustrated at?
All three are correct, with a slight difference in feel. "Frustrated with" is usual for people and ongoing situations ("frustrated with my boss"). "Frustrated by" points at the specific cause ("frustrated by the delay"). "Frustrated at" is less common and usually attaches to a situation rather than a person.
What does it mean to call someone a frustrated actor?
It means they wanted to be an actor and never became one. Used before a noun, "frustrated" describes an ambition that was never fulfilled, so a "frustrated actor" is not an actor who is annoyed — it is somebody in another job entirely who wishes they had made it on the stage.
Is frustrated a feeling or an emotion?
Frustration is generally treated as an emotional state rather than a basic emotion. It arises specifically when something blocks a goal, which is what separates it from plain anger or sadness — there is always an obstacle involved.