DictionaryAI

despair

Saydi-SPAIR/dɪˈspɛɚ/UK/dɪˈspɛə(ɹ)/

Pluraldespairs (some meanings)

Verbdespairs, despairing, despaired

4 meanings of despair

Practice

  1. 1
    hopeless feelingnoununcountable
    A feeling that there is no hope at all.

    She cried out in despair when she missed the last bus.

    The long, dark winter filled him with despair.

    UsageSay in despair or drove her to despair.

    Similarhopelessness, despondency, desperation

    Oppositehope

    Note
  2. 2
    lose hopeverbintransitive
    To stop hoping and feel that nothing good will happen.

    Don't despair. We'll find your dog.

    After weeks of rain, the farmers began to despair of a good harvest.

    UsageSay despair of something.

    Oppositehope

  3. 3
    nounusually singular
    A person or thing that seems hopeless or makes someone lose hope.

    My messy brother is the despair of our mother.

    The broken printer was the despair of the whole office.

    UsageSay he was the despair of his teachers.

    Similarbane, curse, nightmare, scourge

    Oppositedelight, joy

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    verbrare
    To make someone lose all hope.
    Thinking of what I was despairing about despaired me further
    2019, Tim Dee, Landfill

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of despair apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From old French words meaning "to lose hope", from Latin.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts