downcast

[ doun-kast, -kahst ]
See synonyms for: downcastdowncastness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. directed downward, as the eyes.

  2. dejected in spirit; depressed.

noun
  1. overthrow or ruin.

  2. a downward look or glance.

  1. a shaft down which air passes, as into a mine (opposed to upcast).

Origin of downcast

1
First recorded in 1250–1300, downcast is from the Middle English word douncasten.See down1, cast

Other words for downcast

Other words from downcast

  • downcastly, adverb
  • downcastness, noun

Words Nearby downcast

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use downcast in a sentence

  • He is downcast, and a senior member of his party comforts him in these words.

    The Case for Trollope | David Frum | February 5, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Despite the fuzzy pictures, the Daily Mail was quick to point out the star looked "miserable" and “downcast.”

  • The old man stood, with eyes downcast and hands clasped before him, a picture of humility.

  • Her agitation was plain to him, and it puzzled him, as did the downcast glance of eyes usually so bold and insolent in their gaze.

    St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
  • Pale as usual, and with downcast eyes, she entered the room, whither her mother called her.

    Skipper Worse | Alexander Lange Kielland
  • The fire in the stove had burned lower, and its downcast glow revealed less mercilessly the dirty condition of the floor.

    Dope | Sax Rohmer
  • Henri found her there, at something before nine, rather downcast and worried, and debating about going up to bed.

    The Amazing Interlude | Mary Roberts Rinehart

British Dictionary definitions for downcast

downcast

/ (ˈdaʊnˌkɑːst) /


adjective
  1. dejected

  2. (esp of the eyes) directed downwards

noun
  1. mining a ventilation shaft

  2. geology another word for downthrow

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012