downcast

[doun-kast, -kahst]

adjective

1. directed downward, as the eyes.

2. dejected in spirit; depressed.

   Synonyms: blue, low, disconsolate, desolate, sad

noun

1. overthrow or ruin.

2. a downward look or glance.

3. a shaft down which air passes, as into a mine (upcast ).

downcast

/ ˈdaʊnˌkɑːst /

adjective

1. dejected

2. (esp of the eyes) directed downwards

noun

1. mining a ventilation shaft

2. geology another word for downthrow

Other Word Forms

• downcastly adverb
• downcastness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of downcast¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, downcast is from the Middle English word douncasten. See down ¹, cast

Example Sentences

Lewis Hamilton, downcast after qualifying 12th in the Ferrari, finished in the same position after a difficult race starting on the hard tyre and trying to go long.

From BBC

A downcast Hamilton said: "I drove terribly. It is what it is."

From BBC

While Leclerc put in his outstanding performance, Hamilton had another struggle in qualifying and he was downcast afterwards, even if he was just 0.015secs shy of making it into the top 10.

From BBC

With him in the van was a Mexican man, face downcast, who said his wife was six months pregnant.

From Los Angeles Times

A framed black-and-white portrait — the now-iconic one where he faces the camera but looks away, eyes downcast — hung above a Chicago bar like a patron saint of appetite.

From Salon

Related Words

• discouraged 
• forlorn