Frustration is that tense, stuck feeling you get when something blocks you from doing what you're trying to do. When you've explained something three times and your friend still doesn't get it, that's frustration. When you're working on a difficult math problem and keep getting the wrong answer no matter how carefully you work through it, frustration builds with each failed attempt.

A basketball player feels frustrated when she keeps missing shots she normally makes. A writer crumples up draft after draft in frustration when the words won't come out right.

Frustration often appears with physical signs. People might clench their fists, let out an exasperated sigh, or feel their face getting hot. Some people handle frustration by taking a break and returning later with fresh energy. Others push through it, using that uncomfortable feeling as fuel to keep trying.

The feeling differs from simple disappointment. Disappointment is about an outcome, but frustration is about the process. You feel disappointed when your team loses a game. You feel frustrated when you're trying to win, but everything keeps going wrong.