Dissatisfied: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：not content (dissatisfied)

dissatisfied 🔊

/dɪsˈsætɪsfaɪd/

adj.

Not happy or content with something or someone.

Dissatisfied person in a meeting, frowning with crossed arms, showing clear unhappiness with a report.

not content 🔊

➕

/nɒt kənˈtɛnt/

adj.

Describing the state of being unhappy because something did not meet one's expectations or desires.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'dis-' (not) + 'satis' (enough) + 'facere' (to do/make) + adjectival suffix '-ied'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of it as 'DIS' (not) being 'SATISFIED' (happy/pleased) with something.

📖 Example

The manager was dissatisfied with the team's performance because they missed the deadline. 🔊 The manager was dissatisfied with the team's performance because they missed the deadline.

🔗 Collocations

dissatisfied with – not pleased with someone or something

dissatisfied customer – a customer who is not happy with a product or service

deeply dissatisfied – extremely unhappy or not content

🔄 Synonyms

discontented (adj.) – restless and unhappy due to a lack of satisfaction

displeased (adj.) – feeling or showing annoyance or mild anger

unhappy (adj.) – not satisfied; not pleased

🚫 Antonyms

satisfied (adj.) – content; pleased because one's wishes or expectations have been met

content (adj.) – in a state of peaceful happiness or satisfied acceptance

pleased (adj.) – feeling or showing pleasure and satisfaction

🌱 Derivatives

dissatisfaction (n.) – the state or feeling of being dissatisfied

dissatisfy (v.) – to fail to satisfy; to make discontented

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from the Latin 'dissatisfacere'. In modern culture, it's a high-frequency term in business and service industries, describing customer feedback or employee sentiment when expectations are not met.