Words / B2

di-SPAIR/dɪˈspeə/

Despair is the feeling that there is no hope (often uncountable): in despair; a look of despair. The verb is despair of. Desperate is the adjective (already in the dictionary) and is not a drop-in noun. Hopelessness is a close twin. Do not use despair for mild annoyance at a late bus. Appeals: parents wrote in despair.

Meaning

The feeling that there is no hope.

Examples

• “Parents wrote in despair after the third cancellation of paper two.”
• “Staff began to despair of a date, which is the verb.”

Good to know

in despair; despair of + -ing. Adjective: desperate (not the noun). Close: hopelessness. Strong register — not a delayed train. Letters and comment pieces.

Near in meaning

hopelessness

New