Word
dissatisfied
Phoneticsdis·sat·is·fied, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈsætəsˌfaɪd/
UK/dɪsˈætɪsfˌaɪd/
Definition
adj. feeling unhappy or disappointed because something is not as good as you expected. You use this when a service, a product, or a situation fails to meet your needs.
adj. feeling a lack of satisfaction or contentment with a specific outcome, service, or state of affairs. Often used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'feel', 'seem', or 'remain'.
Examples
“The customer was dissatisfied with the slow service.”
“Many employees felt dissatisfied with the new office policy and requested a meeting with management.”
“Public opinion polls suggest that the electorate is increasingly dissatisfied with the government's inability to curb inflation despite several aggressive interest rate hikes.”
Examples
simple
“The customer was dissatisfied with the slow service.”
contextual
“Many employees felt dissatisfied with the new office policy and requested a meeting with management.”
complex
“Public opinion polls suggest that the electorate is increasingly dissatisfied with the government's inability to curb inflation despite several aggressive interest rate hikes.”
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'with'.
Pitfall
I am dissatisfied of the results
I am dissatisfied with the results
Dissatisfied takes the preposition 'with', not 'of' or 'from'.
Real-World Examples
“The latest British Social Attitudes survey found only 26% satisfied with the National Health Service, while 51% were dissatisfied.” “Her husband’s restaurant has failed, he thinks feminism is bad for Chinese women and Muna is dissatisfied with their marriage.” Etymology
From dis- + satisfied.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/dissatisfied