What does frustration mean?
Frustration is the unpleasant emotion that arises when we are blocked from achieving a goal, whether by obstacles, other people, or our own limitations. It blends irritation, disappointment, and impatience, and can range from mild annoyance — a slow internet connection, a lost set of keys — to deeper distress over repeated setbacks in work, relationships, or ambition. In everyday language, people often speak of frustration in phrases like 'a source of frustration' or 'in sheer frustration'. Beyond its emotional sense, the word also describes the act of thwarting: a plan or effort may be said to suffer frustration when it is prevented from succeeding. In psychology, frustration is studied as a response to blocked motivation and is linked to aggression and stress. Derived from Latin roots meaning 'to cheat or disappoint', the word captures both the feeling of being denied what we want and the forces doing the denying, making it a rich and versatile term.
nounThe feeling of being upset or annoyed because one is prevented from achieving a goal or desire. It can also denote the act or state of frustrating something, such as an effort or plan being thwarted.
- The emotional feeling of annoyance or distress caused by being unable to achieve a goal or by persistent obstacles.
- The act or an instance of preventing the success or fulfillment of an effort, plan, or person.
"Her frustration grew as the meeting dragged on without any decision."
"He slammed the drawer in sheer frustration."
"The team's frustration at losing the final was evident in every interview."
The plural is used when referring to multiple distinct instances or sources of frustration rather than the general feeling.
"Travel delays are among the most common frustrations of modern life."
The word 'frustrate' comes straight from Latin frustrari, meaning 'to deceive or disappoint' — the Romans literally described thwarting someone as cheating them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of frustration
Frustration derives from Latin, ultimately from frustra, meaning 'in vain' or 'to no purpose', via the verb frustrari, 'to deceive, disappoint, or render vain'. The English verb 'frustrate' appeared in the early 17th century, borrowing directly from Latin, and the noun 'frustration' followed shortly afterward as the corresponding state or result. The word shares its Latin lineage with cognates such as frustrate and related Romance-language terms like French 'frustration' and Italian 'frustrazione', all tracing back to the same classical source.
Related word forms
How frustration is actually used
Frustration is uncountable in its general emotional sense (e.g. 'much frustration', not usually 'many frustrations'), though a plural form exists for discrete instances ('the frustrations of modern travel'). The emotion sense carries a mildly negative connotation but is acceptable in everyday speech; it is also widely used in psychology to describe the blocking of goal-directed behavior.
Easily confused with frustration
'Fustration' is simply a common misspelling of frustration; the correct word includes the initial 'r'.