hint of disappointment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hint of disappointment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle or slight feeling of disappointment in a situation or response. Example: "Her smile had a hint of disappointment when she realized the event was canceled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Then, 'You can't tell,' said with a hint of disappointment.

The Guardian

Is there just the teeniest hint of disappointment?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He looked at me with a hint of disappointment on his face, and slowly nodded.

The New York Times

"It's purely an acting role," Bell says with just a hint of disappointment.

Independent

"The fancy cakes don't go that much," Mr. Kavourakis says with a hint of disappointment.

The New York Times

The profusion of fossils (or, more accurately, subfossils; these hadn't turned to stone) gave the project a sense of momentum that almost disguised a hint of disappointment.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Any given day, someone is listening in, trolling for hints of anger, of disappointment, of disloyalty.

The New York Times

Crouch recalled the story without a hint of bitterness or disappointment, but one can only imagine the limitations that would naturally follow for an artist who was willing to walk away from career-making opportunities like that one and they no doubt affected his ability to reach a mass audience beyond the Gospel genre.

Huffington Post

In Updike's description of Williams's relationship with the Boston fans — "a marriage, composed of spats, mutual disappointments, and, toward the end, a mellowing hoard of shared memories" — there is maybe even a hint of whatever romantic disappointments had sent him to Beacon Hill that day.

The New York Times - Sports

But as Forbes pointed out, there is still a hint of mystery and a dash of disappointment when it comes to the Destiny 2 PC port.

TechCrunch

However, they write - with perhaps just a hint of disapproval or maybe even disappointment - that "the writing quality of a few seemed to get better after alcohol consumption".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hint of disappointment" when you want to convey a mild or subtle feeling, not an overwhelming sense of disillusionment. It's perfect for scenarios where someone isn't completely let down, but there's a touch of sadness or regret.

Common error

Avoid using "hint of disappointment" to describe situations where the disappointment is profound or obvious. This phrase is meant for subtle nuances, not significant letdowns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hint of disappointment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It describes a subtle or mild degree of disappointment. Ludwig provides examples where it qualifies actions or expressions, indicating a slight feeling of being let down.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hint of disappointment" effectively communicates a subtle feeling of being let down, as confirmed by Ludwig. Grammatically correct and versatile, it appears mainly in news and media sources. It is best used to describe scenarios where the disappointment is mild rather than overwhelming. Alternatives like "trace of disappointment" and "touch of disappointment" offer similar nuanced expressions. The phrase's neutral register allows for its use in both formal and informal contexts, providing a valuable tool for conveying subtle emotional states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tinge of disappointment

Replaces "hint" with "tinge", suggesting a slight coloring or trace of disappointment.

shade of disappointment

Uses "shade" instead of "hint", implying a subtle degree or variation of disappointment.

touch of disappointment

Substitutes "hint" with "touch", denoting a slight amount or trace of disappointment.

trace of disappointment

Employs "trace" in place of "hint", indicating a barely perceptible amount of disappointment.

whisper of disappointment

Replaces "hint" with "whisper", suggesting a very quiet or subtle expression of disappointment.

undertone of disappointment

Uses "undertone" instead of "hint", implying an underlying feeling of disappointment.

element of disappointment

Substitutes "hint" with "element", denoting a component of disappointment present.

nuance of disappointment

Employs "nuance" in place of "hint", indicating a subtle distinction or quality of disappointment.

suggestion of disappointment

Replaces "hint" with "suggestion", implying an indirect indication of disappointment.

air of disappointment

Uses "air" instead of "hint", suggesting an atmosphere or feeling of disappointment surrounding a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "hint of disappointment" in a sentence?

You can use "hint of disappointment" to describe a subtle feeling of letdown, as in, "There was a "hint of disappointment" in her voice when she learned the trip was canceled".

What are some alternatives to "hint of disappointment"?

You can use alternatives like "trace of disappointment", "touch of disappointment", or "tinge of disappointment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "hint of disappointment" in formal writing?

Yes, "hint of disappointment" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a nuanced and subtle way to express a feeling without being overly dramatic or emotional.

What's the difference between "hint of disappointment" and "sign of disappointment"?

"Hint of disappointment" refers to a subtle feeling, while "sign of disappointment" refers to an observable indication. A "hint of disappointment" might be barely noticeable, whereas a sign is more evident.