the act or fact of disappointing.
All of his efforts only led to the disappointment of his supporters.
the state or feeling of being disappointed.
Her disappointment was very great when she didn't get the job.
a person or thing that disappoints.
The play was a disappointment.
the act of disappointing or the state of being disappointed
a person, thing, or state of affairs that disappoints
First recorded in 1605–15; disappoint + -ment
A disappointment is what happens when things don't go your way. That sad, frustrated feeling of loss that follows? It's also called disappointment. The noun disappointment comes from the Middle French word disappointer, meaning “undo the appointment,” or “remove from office.” It is true that a friend canceling your plans or losing your job is a disappointment, but today disappointment can describe anything that crushes your hopes, ruins your day, or otherwise lets you down.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Danny Murphy: It would be a disappointment not to make the semi-finals with the quality we have got.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Tuvalu's prime minister voiced disappointment Friday over the island nation's fossil fuel holdings, after AFP revealed a trust fund for the climate change-threatened state had invested in oil and coal.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
After years of disappointment, a random eBay trawl turned up a surprise offer of the long-lost chocolate mints, with a notice for mint vintage items.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Tech looks set to lead the way south on Thursday, with investors showing disappointment over less-than-perfect Broadcom results.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
I’m hit with a musty, mouldy smell and another wave of disappointment.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
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.
