What does dissatisfactory mean?
'Dissatisfactory' is an adjective meaning not satisfactory — that is, falling short of what is expected, required, or acceptable. It is formed from the prefix 'dis-' added to 'satisfactory', and it functions much like its far more common synonym 'unsatisfactory'. A report, a performance, an answer, or a set of conditions may all be described as dissatisfactory when they fail to meet a standard. In practice the word is comparatively rare: English speakers overwhelmingly reach for 'unsatisfactory', which appears many times more frequently in both British and American usage, so 'dissatisfactory' tends to sound formal, slightly old-fashioned, or unusual even though it is perfectly legitimate. It should also be distinguished from 'dissatisfying', which describes something that leaves a person emotionally unfulfilled rather than something that misses an objective standard. For writers seeking variety, 'dissatisfactory' offers a valid alternative, but for clarity and naturalness, 'unsatisfactory' remains the safer choice in nearly every context.
adjectiveNot satisfactory; failing to meet expectations or requirements.
- Not satisfactory; failing to reach an acceptable standard or level of quality
"The committee deemed the contractor's explanation entirely dissatisfactory and withheld payment."
"Inspectors rated the safety measures dissatisfactory and ordered immediate improvements."
"His progress this term has been dissatisfactory, according to his tutors."
Despite looking perfectly logical, 'dissatisfactory' has spent centuries living in the shadow of its far more popular sibling 'unsatisfactory'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dissatisfactory
'Dissatisfactory' is formed within English by adding the negative prefix 'dis-' (from Latin) to 'satisfactory', which itself derives ultimately from the Latin verb 'satisfacere', meaning 'to do enough' or 'to satisfy', composed of 'satis' ('enough') and 'facere' ('to make or do'). The same Latin root gives English 'satisfy', 'satisfaction', and 'satisfactory', as well as their negated counterparts such as 'dissatisfied' and 'unsatisfactory'. While 'unsatisfactory' became the dominant negative form, 'dissatisfactory' arose alongside it as a parallel construction and has remained the rarer of the two since at least the nineteenth century.
How dissatisfactory is actually used
'Dissatisfactory' is a relatively rare adjective; most style-conscious writers prefer 'unsatisfactory', which carries the same meaning with no difference in register but far greater frequency. Using 'dissatisfactory' is not wrong, but it can strike readers as slightly unusual or bookish.
Easily confused with dissatisfactory
Both mean 'not satisfactory', but 'unsatisfactory' is by far the more common and standard choice in modern English, while 'dissatisfactory' is rarer and often perceived as awkward.
'Dissatisfying' describes something that fails to give satisfaction on an emotional level, whereas 'dissatisfactory' describes something that falls short of a required standard.