Jump to:

• disappointment
  disappointment

  noun

  the act or fact of disappointing.
• Disappointment
  Disappointment

  noun

  Cape Disappointment, a cape in southwestern Washington State, projecting into the Pacific Ocean on the north of the mouth of the Columbia River.

disappointment

¹ American  

[dis-uh-point-muhnt] / ˌdɪs əˈpɔɪnt mənt /

noun

1. the act or fact of disappointing.

   All of his efforts only led to the disappointment of his supporters.

   Synonyms:

   frustration, defeat, failure

2. the state or feeling of being disappointed.

   Her disappointment was very great when she didn't get the job.

3. a person or thing that disappoints.

   The play was a disappointment.

---

Disappointment ² American  

[dis-uh-point-muhnt] / ˌdɪs əˈpɔɪnt mənt /

noun

1. Cape Disappointment, a cape in southwestern Washington State, projecting into the Pacific Ocean on the north of the mouth of the Columbia River.

---

disappointment British  

/ ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt /

noun

1. the act of disappointing or the state of being disappointed

2. a person, thing, or state of affairs that disappoints

---

Other Word Forms

• predisappointment noun

Etymology

Origin of disappointment

First recorded in 1605–15; disappoint + -ment

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

Practically every man she meets proves himself a reliable vendor of disappointment.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

Staff have reacted with "shock and disappointment" to the proposed closure of a packaging site which has been a major employer in a Cornish town for nearly 60 years.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

“Rambus reported first-quarter results that were roughly in line with consensus, a disappointment given the heightened expectations and significant runup in valuation into the print,” wrote William Blair analyst Sebastien Naji in a research note.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Supply-chain revenue was a disappointment as it fell 6.5% to $2.54 billion from $2.71 billion; analysts had modeled a flat performance.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Dr. Stuart was a great disappointment, failing to display the Southern hospitality and honor that Booth had come to expect.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Related Words

• adversity
• blow
• chagrin
• defeat
• discontent
• disenchantment
• disillusionment
• dissatisfaction
• failure
• frustration
• letdown
• regret
• setback