disappointment

/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: disappointments

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The feeling or state of being disappointed: a feeling of sadness or frustration when something is not as good as one hoped or expected, or when something bad unexpectedly happens.

Noun

Examples

Even a trip to beautiful California can cause disappointment.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An example or the act of disappointing: a circumstance in which a positive expectation is not achieved.

Noun

Examples

The disappointment with our trip to California caused bickering.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “disappointment” mean?

The feeling or state of being disappointed: a feeling of sadness or frustration when something is not as good as one hoped or expected, or when something bad unexpectedly happens.

Is “disappointment” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.