Letdown: meaning, definitions and examples

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letdown

[ ˈletdaʊn ]

Noun / Verb

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

A disappointment or disillusionment, especially when something fails to meet one's expectations.

Synonyms

anticlimax, disappointment, disillusionment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
letdown	A situation when something or someone does not meet expectations, often causing disappointment. The concert was a letdown because the band played poorly. It was a letdown when the movie ended abruptly.
disappointment	A feeling of sadness or displeasure due to unfulfilled hopes or expectations. She felt deep disappointment when she didn't get the job. The team's loss was a big disappointment for the fans.
disillusionment	A feeling of being let down by realizing that something is not as good as one believed, often leading to a loss of faith or trust. His disillusionment with politics grew after the scandal. The company’s unethical practices led to widespread disillusionment among employees.
anticlimax	A moment in a story or event that is less exciting or dramatic than expected, making the previous build-up feel wasted. The novel started off great, but the ending was an anticlimax. After all the hype, the game ended in an anticlimax.

Examples of usage

He felt a deep letdown when he realized he didn't get the job.
She experienced a letdown after the concert was canceled.
The team's loss in the final game was a huge letdown for their fans.
The letdown of not winning the award was hard to accept.
I was hoping for a better outcome, so the result was a letdown.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

action

To disappoint or fail to fulfill someone's expectations.

Synonyms

disappoint, fail, fall short.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
letdown	Use this word when expressing a strong feeling of disappointment, usually because something or someone did not meet expectations. It often has a personal, emotional reaction involved. The concert was a total letdown because the band didn't show up After waiting for hours, the cancellation was a huge letdown
disappoint	Best used when talking about causing someone to feel unhappy by not fulfilling their hopes or expectations. It's often used in both formal and informal contexts. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I can't attend the meeting Their performance did not disappoint the loyal fans
fail	This word is commonly used to describe not achieving a desired result, often in a more general or broader context. It can also have a harsher, more critical tone. Despite their best efforts, they failed to secure the contract If you don't study, you might fail the exam
fall short	When something is close to an expectation or goal but does not fully meet it, use this phrase. It often suggests effort but eventual inadequacy. The team's performance fell short of expectations Though the product is good, it falls short in terms of durability

Examples of usage

The movie letdown the audience with its predictable ending.
She felt letdown by her friends when they didn't show up to her birthday party.
Don't letdown your teammates by not giving your best effort.

Translations

Translations of the word "letdown" in other languages:

🇵🇹 decepção

🇮🇳 निराशा

🇩🇪 Enttäuschung

🇮🇩 kekecewaan

🇺🇦 розчарування

🇵🇱 rozczarowanie

🇯🇵 失望 (shitsubou)

🇫🇷 déception

🇪🇸 decepción

🇹🇷 hayal kırıklığı

🇰🇷 실망 (sil-mang)

🇸🇦 خيبة أمل

🇨🇿 zklamání

🇸🇰 sklamanie

🇨🇳 失望 (shīwàng)

🇸🇮 razočaranje

🇮🇸 vonbrigði

🇰🇿 қанағаттанбаушылық

🇬🇪 გაწბილება

🇦🇿 məyusluq

🇲🇽 decepción

Etymology

The term 'letdown' originated in the mid-19th century, derived from the combination of 'let' and 'down'. The concept of feeling disappointed or disillusioned has been a common human experience throughout history, leading to the creation and use of the word 'letdown' to describe such emotions. Over time, 'letdown' has become widely recognized and used in English language to express feelings of disappointment and unmet expectations.