Definition of "disappoint" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To sadden or displease (someone) by underperforming, or by not delivering something promised or hoped for.

   • His lack of respect disappointed her.
   • I was disappointed by last year’s revenue.

2. (transitive) To deprive (someone of something expected or hoped for).

   • 1637, Thomas Killigrew, The Parson’s Wedding, Act V, Scene 4, in Comedies and Tragedies, London: Henry Herringman, 1664, p. 152, Bless me from an old waiting-womans wrath; she’l never forgive me the disappointing her of a promise when I was drunk;
   • 1707, extract from Lord Caryll’s letters, in James Macpherson (ed.), Original Papers: containing the secret history of Great Britain, from the restoration, to the accession of the House of Hannover, London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1775, Volume 2, p. 86, You tell me, that the hasty departure of Mr. Rysehoven [Marlborough] out of town disappointed you of speaking to him, of which the loss, I think, is not very great;

3. (transitive, dated) To fail to meet (an expectation); to fail to fulfil (a hope).

   • 1751, Samuel Johnson, The Rambler, No. 127, 4 June, 1751, Volume 4, London: J. Payne and J. Bouquet, 1752, pp. 240-241, It is not uncommon for those who at their first entrance into the world were distinguished for eminent attainments or superior abilities, to disappoint the hopes which they had raised, and to end in neglect and obscurity that life which they began in celebrity and honour.

4. (transitive, dated) To show (an opinion, belief, etc.) to be mistaken.

5. (transitive, obsolete) To prevent (something planned or attempted).