disappoint
gb/dˌɪsəpˈɔɪnt/ us/dˌɪsəpˈɔɪnt/
B1
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Fail to meet expectations
To make someone feel bad because something was not as good as they wanted or thought it would be.
Usage pattern:
to disappoint [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'disappoint' with 'be disappointed'. 'Disappoint' is active (you disappoint someone), while 'be disappointed' is passive (you feel disappointed).
Synonyms
let down (More informal; often used in everyday conversation to mean failing someone emotionally or practically.)
|
dismay (More formal or literary; emphasizes shock or distress.)
Antonyms
please (To make someone happy or satisfied, the opposite emotional outcome of disappointing.)
|
satisfy (To meet someone's needs or expectations successfully.)
Collocations
deeply disappoint
|bitterly disappoint
|disappoint fans
|disappoint customers
|disappoint expectations
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The movie disappointed many fans who had high hopes.
- I hate to disappoint you, but the event has been canceled.
- Their poor performance in the match disappointed the coach.
- She didn’t want to disappoint her parents by failing the exam.
- The service at the restaurant really disappointed us.
Learner examples
- The film disappointed me.
- I do not want to disappoint my friend.
- He disappointed his teacher by being late.
- The game disappointed the players.
- We were disappointed by the food.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disappoint
IPA
GB/dˌɪsəpˈɔɪnt/
US/dˌɪsəpˈɔɪnt/
Syllables & stress
dis - ap - point (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (point)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: disappoint
- 3rd Person Singular: disappoints
- Present Participle: disappointing
- Past: disappointed
Word family
Expressions
hate to disappoint you
1/hˈeɪt tə dˌɪsəpˈɔɪnt jˈu/
fixed phrase
Polite regret before bad news
Used when you are sorry to say something that will make someone unhappy or upset.
Examples
- I hate to disappoint you, but we’re out of tickets.
- Hate to disappoint you, but she’s not coming tonight.
sorry to disappoint you
1/sˈɑɹi tə dˌɪsəpˈɔɪnt jˈu/
fixed phrase
Apology before unpleasant fact
Said when you feel bad about telling someone something they will not like.
Examples
- Sorry to disappoint you, but the shop is closed.
- I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I can’t help today.