disappoint

UK: /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/ US: /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/ ,(dis′ə point′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•ap•point /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/   v. [~ + object]

1. to fail to reach the expectations, hopes, or wishes of:
   That last job rejection disappointed me badly.
2. to defeat the fulfillment of:
   to disappoint hopes.

dis•ap•point•ment, n. 

[uncountable] The actress learned to handle disappointment.

[countable] That third novel was a big disappointment.

Related Words

disappoint is a verb, disappointment is a noun, disappointed and disappointing are adjectives:
She disappointed him when she told a lie. He faced one disappointment after another. The disappointed team headed home after their loss. It was a disappointing loss.
See -point-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•ap•point  (dis′ə point′), v.t. 

1. to fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of:
   His gross ingratitude disappointed us.
2. to defeat the fulfillment of (hopes, plans, etc.);
   thwart;
   frustrate:
   to be disappointed in love.

v.i. 

3. to bring or cause disappointment.

• Middle French desappointer. See dis-¹, appoint
• late Middle English 1400–50

dis′ap•point′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. sadden, disillusion, dishearten, disenchant.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

disappoint / ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/ verb (transitive)

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

Etymology: 15th Century (originally meaning: to remove from office): from Old French desapointier; see dis-¹, appoint