Basic Details
Word: Discouraged
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Feeling sad or less hopeful because of difficulties or failure.
Synonyms: Disheartened, downhearted, dejected
Antonyms: Encouraged, motivated, uplifted
Idioms and Phrases
- Down in the dumps: A feeling of sadness or low spirits. Example: "After losing the match, he was down in the dumps for the rest of the day."
- Keep your chin up: An encouragement to remain positive and not lose hope. Example: "Even though she didn't get the part in the play, her friends told her to keep her chin up."
Usage Examples
Example 1: After not getting the grades he wanted, John felt discouraged and unsure about his future.
Example 2: The discouraging words from his teacher made him doubt his ability to play the piano.
Example 3: She tried her best at the spelling competition, but when she didn't win, she felt a bit discouraged.
Fun Fact
The word "discourage" comes from the Old French "descorager," which means to remove courage. It highlights how feelings of sadness can take away one's confidence and determination.
Famous Quote
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." – Winston Churchill
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "discouraged" mean?
a) Feeling cheerful and happy
b) Feeling sad or less hopeful
c) Feeling excited and energetic
d) Feeling indifferent
Answer: b) Feeling sad or less hopeful
2. Which of these is a synonym of "discouraged"?
a) Elated
b) Disheartened
c) Joyful
d) Thrilled
Answer: b) Disheartened
3. What is the opposite of "discouraged"?
a) Sad
b) Uplifted
c) Tired
d) Confused
Answer: b) Uplifted
4. Which sentence uses "discouraged" correctly?
a) She felt discouraged after forgetting her line in the play.
b) He was discouraged when he saw the beautiful scenery.
c) They felt encouraged when the sun came out.
d) The dog was very discouraged while playing fetch.
Answer: a) She felt discouraged after forgetting her line in the play.
5. Which idiom suggests staying positive when feeling discouraged?
a) Down in the dumps
b) Keep your chin up
c) All ears
d) Hit the hay
Answer: b) Keep your chin up
