Disappointed - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT disappointed /ˈdɪsəˌpɔɪntəd/ /dɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/ IPA guide

Disappointed means discouraged or sad because what you hoped for didn't happen. If you write a fan letter to your favorite actress hoping for a personal reply, you're likely to be disappointed.

The original French root of disappointed is desappointer, which has one meaning that's basically "to fail to keep an appointment." So you might imagine the word disappointed like this: you made an appointment with a friend, but he blew it off. What could leave you more disappointed than that?

Definitions of disappointed

adjective disappointingly unsuccessful “disappointed expectations and thwarted ambitions” synonyms: defeated, discomfited, foiled, frustrated, thwarted unsuccessful not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome

Pronunciation US /ˈdɪsəˌpɔɪntəd/ UK /dɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘disappointed'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

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