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Kooyeen Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary
Dismay and similar darn words
What does "dismay" mean? I have been trying to understand it for two weeks, I hate it!!!
I have checked all the most important dictionaries, and they all give different definitions. I am trying to learn new vocabulary, so I just need a very simple and clear definition, not necessarily precise, that is very easy to understand and remember. Not necessarily precise because... I think it's "linguistically impossible" and "not worth it" to try to find the exact meaning some words. You'll refine it by reading, over time.
Anyway, the problem is it's not clear what the main connotations of certain words are, because dictionaries are often misleading. So, as an example, saying that "disappointed" means "sad and upset" is basically useless. To understand it, you need to understand the main point, and the main point is "you expected or hoped something would happen, but it did not, damn!". You often are sad, yeah, but you could also be a bit annoyed, so I hope you understand the importance of understanding the main connotation and context of a word, and not focusing on misleading details.
Here's what I wrote in my flashcard for "consternation":
CONSTERNATION:
a feeling of fear or worry that causes confusion, when something unpleasant happens
Ex: Much to her parents' consternation, she had decided to not go to college. - A new power station is being built much to the consternation of environmental groups
So it seems to focus on "worry" and feeling confused because something bad happened. Do you think it's ok?
And now... what the heck do I write for "dismay"? Every dictionary focuses on something different... one says it implies worry and loss of courage, another says it is just disappointment, etc. This is my current definition, taken from Longman, but I am not satisfied with it:
DISMAY:
a strong feeling of being worried, sad, or disappointed that you feel when something unpleasant happens.
Ex: To her dismay, her name was not on the list. - They were dismayed to find that the ferry had already left. - They watched in dismay as the house burned.
It's not easy to understand or remember, and being worried doesn't seem to go well with being disappointed, in my opinion. I really think "dismay" has more to do with disappointment than anything else, but I am not sure. The new definition I have in mind would involve being "disappointed, dejected, disheartened". But that's still a mess, lol. Ok, enough of this, I am going crazy.
Thanks.
I have checked all the most important dictionaries, and they all give different definitions. I am trying to learn new vocabulary, so I just need a very simple and clear definition, not necessarily precise, that is very easy to understand and remember. Not necessarily precise because... I think it's "linguistically impossible" and "not worth it" to try to find the exact meaning some words. You'll refine it by reading, over time.
Anyway, the problem is it's not clear what the main connotations of certain words are, because dictionaries are often misleading. So, as an example, saying that "disappointed" means "sad and upset" is basically useless. To understand it, you need to understand the main point, and the main point is "you expected or hoped something would happen, but it did not, damn!". You often are sad, yeah, but you could also be a bit annoyed, so I hope you understand the importance of understanding the main connotation and context of a word, and not focusing on misleading details.
Here's what I wrote in my flashcard for "consternation":
CONSTERNATION:
a feeling of fear or worry that causes confusion, when something unpleasant happens
Ex: Much to her parents' consternation, she had decided to not go to college. - A new power station is being built much to the consternation of environmental groups
So it seems to focus on "worry" and feeling confused because something bad happened. Do you think it's ok?
And now... what the heck do I write for "dismay"? Every dictionary focuses on something different... one says it implies worry and loss of courage, another says it is just disappointment, etc. This is my current definition, taken from Longman, but I am not satisfied with it:
DISMAY:
a strong feeling of being worried, sad, or disappointed that you feel when something unpleasant happens.
Ex: To her dismay, her name was not on the list. - They were dismayed to find that the ferry had already left. - They watched in dismay as the house burned.
It's not easy to understand or remember, and being worried doesn't seem to go well with being disappointed, in my opinion. I really think "dismay" has more to do with disappointment than anything else, but I am not sure. The new definition I have in mind would involve being "disappointed, dejected, disheartened". But that's still a mess, lol. Ok, enough of this, I am going crazy.
Thanks.
Top answer
Kooyeen: I am dismayed that you are having so much trouble with vocabulary. I wish sincerely that I could help you. Don't be discouraged.
- Kooyeen: I am dismayed that you are having so much trouble with vocabulary.
- I wish sincerely that I could help you.
- Don't be discouraged.
- Often, it is best to look at how the word is used in real-life situations.
- I really like the COCA for this as a supplement to the dictionaries.
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7 Answers
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Kooyeen:
I am dismayed that you are having so much trouble with vocabulary. I wish sincerely that I could help you. Don't be discouraged. Often, it is best to look at how the word is used in real-life situations. I really like the COCA for this as a supplement to the dictionaries. For instance, it has 1690 examples in context of the verb "dismay" taken from many different sources: fiction, n
I am dismayed that you are having so much trouble with vocabulary. I wish sincerely that I could help you. Don't be discouraged. Often, it is best to look at how the word is used in real-life situations. I really like the COCA for this as a supplement to the dictionaries. For instance, it has 1690 examples in context of the verb "dismay" taken from many different sources: fiction, n
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Thanks Alphecca,
it's just that if I don't know what certain words imply, I can't even understand any examples, you know. For example, I would have no idea what you meant by "dismayed" in your post. So what would you say "dismay" means? It seems to connote disappointment and sadness most of the times, but I don't think you just used it with that meaning, so I am confused again. Thanks.
it's just that if I don't know what certain words imply, I can't even understand any examples, you know. For example, I would have no idea what you meant by "dismayed" in your post. So what would you say "dismay" means? It seems to connote disappointment and sadness most of the times, but I don't think you just used it with that meaning, so I am confused again. Thanks.
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Focusing on the connotative meanings of words, I have to admit that even when applied to your two examples, your flash definition of C. lacks the element of befuddlement and even anger which the word carries in those situations.
I think it's naive to expect that your shift away from the denotative meanings will necessarily simplify things, or facilitate a "mor
I think it's naive to expect that your shift away from the denotative meanings will necessarily simplify things, or facilitate a "mor
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AvangiBut you just have to find your own way to remember things - something that resonates with you, in terms of your own experience. It may be a picture, or a feeling, or a smell, or a phrase. I don't think there's an easy way.Hi Avangi,
thanks. Yes, that's what I am trying to do, and I have seen the best way for me is to understand the general mea
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Sometimes I wish we had the famously missing official defender of the Queen's English. But I know in my heart if such were installed, I'd be seriously consternated. As we like to say over here, "It's a free country!"
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Compare and contrast!
I was dismayed when I learned that my favorite niece had started smoking.
I was disappointed that I didn't win the mega lottery with the 1 million dollar jackpot.
I was elated when the mega lottery drawing picked all 6 of my numbers. I was dismayed when I discovered that the dog had eaten my lottery ticket.
I was devastat
I was dismayed when I learned that my favorite niece had started smoking.
I was disappointed that I didn't win the mega lottery with the 1 million dollar jackpot.
I was elated when the mega lottery drawing picked all 6 of my numbers. I was dismayed when I discovered that the dog had eaten my lottery ticket.
I was devastat
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Ok! Thanks! I think I got it "more or less" right then. It's a reaction to a bad event which makes you sad or disappointed, and you feel kind of helpless. Thanks!
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