disappoint

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

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

   His lack of respect disappointed her.

2. 2
   verb

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

   They that haue money in their purse, are afrayde and in doubte, yea and are continuallye martyred with feare, leaste GOD should disappoint them of their pray, and abate their portion.

3. 3
   verb

   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. 4
   verb

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

   I am sure you will not disappoint my opinion of you, by failing at any time to treat your aunt Norris with the respect and attention that are due to her.

5. 5
   verb

   To prevent (something planned or attempted).

   He [God] disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

6. 6
   verb

   fail to meet the hopes or expectations of

Etymology

From Middle French desapointer (compare French désappointer). The word originally meant to "dispossess of appointed office", and eventually broadened to mean "to frustrate the expectations or desires of" and "defeat the realization or fulfillment of".