despair — complete loss or absence of hope
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: complete loss or absence of hope
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈspɛr/
Example Sentences
- After watching his favorite team lose 0-10, Tom was in complete despair and ate three tubs of ice cream.
- Don't despair if you can't solve this math problem - even Einstein probably would have used a calculator.
- The economic crisis brought many families to the brink of despair.
despair
NOUN[/dɪˈspɛr/]
complete loss or absence of hope
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Despair derives from Medieval French 'desperer', which originated from Latin 'desperare', meaning 'to lose hope completely'. The term combines the Latin prefix 'de-' (thoroughly, completely) with 'sperare' (to hope), reflecting the total abandonment of hope.
Breakdown
de- (completely, away) + sperare (to hope) = desperare (to lose all hope)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After watching his favorite team lose 0-10, Tom was in complete despair and ate three tubs of ice cream.”
“Don't despair if you can't solve this math problem - even Einstein probably would have used a calculator.”
“The economic crisis brought many families to the brink of despair.”
“She looked at her messy room and despaired of ever finding her phone again.”
📚Related Words
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