disservice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “disservice” mean?
A harmful or unhelpful action.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A harmful or unhelpful action; a wrong or injury done to someone.
An action that, often unintentionally, harms someone's interests, reputation, or well-being, typically when the intention was to help or benefit them.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties. Slightly formal register.
Frequency
Slightly more common in written and formal spoken contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “disservice” in a Sentence
do [PERSON/ENTITY] a disservicebe a disservice to [PERSON/ENTITY]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disservice” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The simplified report rather disserves the complexity of the issue.
American English
- That policy disserves the very people it was meant to help.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticising a colleague publicly does the whole team a disservice.
Academic
Oversimplifying these complex theories does a disservice to the field.
Everyday
You're doing yourself a disservice by not applying for that promotion.
Technical
Using non-standard terminology does a disservice to the clarity of the documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “disservice”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “disservice”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disservice”
- Using it without a determiner or object (Incorrect: 'He committed disservice.' Correct: 'He did her a disservice.').
- Confusing it with 'disserve' (the rare verb form).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very rarely. The verb 'disserve' exists but is archaic and highly uncommon. Almost always use the noun form in the pattern 'do someone/something a disservice'.
Yes, it tends to be used in more formal, written, or critical contexts. In everyday speech, people might say 'harm', 'wrong', or 'it doesn't help'.
Not necessarily. A disservice can be done unintentionally, often with good intentions that lead to a bad outcome.
The direct opposite is 'service' or 'favour', as in 'do someone a service/favour'.
A harmful or unhelpful action.
Disservice: in British English it is pronounced /dɪsˈsɜːvɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪsˈsɜːrvɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “do more harm than good”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS-SERVICE. A 'service' is helpful. A 'DISSERVICE' is the opposite—a harmful or unhelpful action. It's like a 'bad service'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HELP/HARM IS A COMMODITY (doing someone a service/disservice).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is most commonly used with 'disservice'?