Words / B1

dis-uh-POYNTM-uh-nt/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt/

A disappointment is a person or thing that disappoints, or the feeling itself: a disappointment; hide your disappointment. Disappointed/disappointing are the adjectives. Shame can be everyday in UK speech (a shame). Uncountable for the feeling in some uses. Do not write “disappointment of failing” — disappointment at / about is safer.

Meaning

The feeling of being disappointed; also a person or thing that disappoints.

Examples

• “Missing the grade boundary was a disappointment after months of mocks.”
• “There was disappointment at the delayed refunds, which is the feeling.”

Good to know

a disappointment; disappointment at / about. Adjectives: disappointed / disappointing. Informal UK: a shame. Not “disappointment of doing”.

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