B2verb1K

Disappoint

UK /["/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnts/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnts/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to make somebody feel sad because something that they hope for or expect to happen does not happen or is not as good as they hoped

In simple words: To make someone feel sad because something is not as good as expected.

Examples

  • Her decision to cancel the concert is bound to disappoint her fans.
  • I hate to disappoint you, but I'm just not interested.
  • The movie had disappointed her *(= it wasn't as good as she had expected)*.
  • I hate to disappoint the children when they've been looking forward to it so much.
  • His latest novel does not disappoint.
  • It disappointed me that nobody bothered to say thank you.
  • The new government had soon disappointed the hopes of many of its supporters.
  • If he agrees to the deal he will disappoint the expectations of many colleagues.

Usage notes

Use 'disappoint' when expressing feelings of letdown. It's appropriate for both serious and casual situations but avoid using it in overly casual contexts like slang.

Grammar pattern

disappoint + object

Memory hint

Think of 'dis' like not, and 'appoint' like a special occasion – when it doesn't meet expectations, you feel disappointed.

Collocations

  • disappoint someone
  • disappoint expectations
  • disappoint a friend
  • disappoint fans
  • disappoint in

Synonyms

  • let down
  • dismay
  • dishearten
  • discourage
  • fail

Antonyms

  • please
  • satisfy
  • delight

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'disappointment' as a verb.
  • Using 'disappoint' without an object, e.g., 'He disappointed' instead of 'He disappointed me.'