# disappointing

/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnɪŋ/ (US) · /dˌɪsɐpˈɔɪntɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disappointing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. not good enough

adjective · CEFR B1

used to describe something that is not as good as you wanted or expected it to be.

For teachers: failing to fulfil expectations, hopes, or desires. This is the primary adjectival use of the word.

- The weather was disappointing during our holiday because it rained every single day.
- The quarterly sales figures were deeply disappointing, forcing the board to reconsider their expansion strategy for the upcoming year.

Usage: Usually placed before a noun or after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

## Examples

- The movie was very disappointing after all the good reviews.
- The team's performance in the final match was disappointing, as they failed to score a single goal.
- Despite the high expectations surrounding the product launch, the initial sales figures were disappointing, forcing the board to reconsider their marketing strategy for the next quarter.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.