dissatisfaction

Etymology

It is formed from English dis- + satisfaction.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} Satisfaction is from Old French satisfaction, from Latin satisfactiō (“a satisfying of a creditor”), from satisfaciō (“to discharge fully, make amends”), literally "to do enough",^[3] from satis (“enough”) and faciō (“to make, do”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The condition of being dissatisfied, discontent: Merriam-Webster dates it to about 1610;^[5] the OED's first quotation is from 1640, in Rushworth's Historical Collections,^[2] and Etymonline dates it to the 1630s.^[3]

Semantic evolution

Soon after, from about 1640, it was also used in the plural for particular feelings or expressions of discontent,^[2][4] and after 1702 for a cause of discontent.^[2] Johnson (1755) defined it as "the state of being dissatisfied; discontent; want of something to compleat the wish", and the OED quotes his definition.^[7][2] Satisfaction itself first meant the penance done for sin, and its sense of contentment was not common before the 16th century.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 1610 – discontent, the state of being dissatisfied.^[5] The OED's first quotation is from 1640.^[2]
• c. 1640 – plural, feelings or expressions of discontent.^[2]
• 1702 – a cause of discontent.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. The state of not being satisfied; discontent or disappointment: Voters expressed growing dissatisfaction with the council.^[8][5][6]
2. A particular feeling or cause of discontent: She listed her dissatisfactions with the new rota.^[6][2]

Word family

• self-dissatisfaction

Related words

• satisfaction
• satisfy
• dissatisfied

Usage notes

Dictionary.com distinguishes three near-synonyms: dissatisfaction comes from considering something that falls short of one's wishes or expectations.^[6] Discontent is a more general, lasting sense of unease about one's circumstances.^[6] Displeasure adds a degree of anger.^[6]

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b c d Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. ^ a b c d e f Dictionary.com Unabridged (2016), based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House
7. ^ Johnson, Samuel (1755), A Dictionary of the English Language, London; 4th ed. 1773; Johnson's Dictionary Online, ed. Beth Rapp Young et al.
8. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins