disappointed

Disappointed is an adjective describing a feeling of sadness, dissatisfaction, or displeasure resulting from unmet expectations or hopes. It can also function as the past participle form of the verb disappoint, as in "The result disappointed him." The emotional state can range from mild disappointment to more acute sadness, depending on context. Common collocations include "disappointed by" or "disappointed with," followed by the thing that failed to meet expectations (the outcome, an offer, a performance, or a person). The related noun is disappointment.

Etymology: from dis- plus appoint, tracing back to earlier senses of failing to fulfill or obtain an expected position. In modern use, "to disappoint" generally means to fail to satisfy someone’s expectations, hopes, or desires, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The word "disappointed" is often contrasted with "pleasantly surprised" or "satisfied" and is sometimes replaced by milder forms such as "let down" or "disheartened" depending on intensity.

Examples: "I was disappointed with the movie." "She was disappointed by the news." "The team felt disappointed after losing the match."

Related terms: disappointment (noun), disappointing (adjective describing something that causes disappointment), let down (informal synonym). Antonyms: satisfied, content, elated.

Cultural note: In everyday language, expressing disappointment is a common social communication strategy to signal unmet expectations, often prompting explanations or apologies.