Disappoint Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms disappoint American [dis-uh-point] / ˌdɪs əˈpɔɪnt /

verb (used with object)

1. to fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of.

   His gross ingratitude disappointed us.

   Synonyms: disenchant, dishearten, disillusion, sadden

2. to defeat the fulfillment of (hopes, plans, etc.); thwart; frustrate.

   to be disappointed in love.

verb (used without object)

1. to bring or cause disappointment.

disappoint British / ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt /

verb

1. to fail to meet the expectations, hopes, desires, or standards of; let down

2. to prevent the fulfilment of (a plan, intention, etc); frustrate; thwart

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• disappointer noun

Etymology

Origin of disappoint

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Middle French word desappointer. See dis- 1, appoint

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Norwegian Cruise Line stock tumbled 10.5% Monday due to surging oil prices and disappointing earnings guidance.

From Barron's

She said she was disappointed that this bill would not provide her community any protections, despite investor sales continuing to happen every week.

From Los Angeles Times

Like Ponomari, she says it can be "disappointing" when audiences never see a scene you've worked on, but agrees it's "just part of the game".

From BBC

I can see them look disappointed, and I’m like, “I’m so sorry.”

From The Wall Street Journal

A couple of boys watched as she walked away, looking disappointed.

From Literature

Related Words

• baffle
• deceive
• disconcert
• disenchant
• dishearten
• disillusion
• dissatisfy
• dumbfound
• fail
• hamper
• mislead

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.