Word
letdown
Phoneticslet·down, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫɛtˌdaʊn/
UK/lˈɛtdaʊn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. something that disappoints you because it is not as good as you hoped.
n. a disappointment or anticlimax; something that fails to meet expectations.
Examples
“The rainy picnic is a real letdown for the kids.”
“After waiting months for the new phone, he finds the battery life a major letdown.”
“The much-hyped sequel proves a quiet letdown, trading the original's sharp wit for predictable twists that leave even loyal fans feeling flat.”
Examples
simple
“The rainy picnic is a real letdown for the kids.”
contextual
“After waiting months for the new phone, he finds the battery life a major letdown.”
complex
“The much-hyped sequel proves a quiet letdown, trading the original's sharp wit for predictable twists that leave even loyal fans feeling flat.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “letdown” in context.
Verb
01. avoid letdown
“To avoid a letdown, check reviews before booking the hotel.”
verb + noun
02. cope with letdown
“He struggled to cope with the letdown of not getting in.”
verb + prep + noun
03. expect letdown
“We expected a letdown after the excellent first season.”
verb + noun
04. fear letdown
“She feared a letdown after hoping for the promotion.”
verb + noun
05. letdown follows
“A deep letdown followed the excitement of the win.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. big letdown
“The final episode was a big letdown after such a great series.”
adj + noun
07. bitter letdown
“Losing in the final was a bitter letdown for the whole team.”
adj + noun
08. huge letdown
“The concert was a huge letdown because the sound was so poor.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. feeling of letdown
“She could not shake the feeling of letdown after the interview.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a bitter sense of letdown
“There was a bitter sense of letdown after the cancellation.”
11. avoid a major letdown
“Read the contract carefully to avoid a major letdown later.”
12. be a huge letdown
“The party was a huge letdown; hardly anyone came.”
Etymology
Deverbal from let down.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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