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.
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
That disappointment was compounded by pre-series expectations that England could win down under for the first time 2010-11, especially with Australia so badly hit by injuries to key players.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
That massive number, though, is a small disappointment.
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
There was the excitement of new crushes and having fun in a new city with two friends, but there was also the crushing disappointment of feeling like I was never gonna make it.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026
“It’s nothing,” Dad says, his voice dripping with disappointment.
From "Linked" by Gordon Korman
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.
