downcast

[ doun-kast, -kahst ]

/ ˈdaʊnˌkæst, -ˌkɑst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR downcast ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

directed downward, as the eyes.

dejected in spirit; depressed.

noun

overthrow or ruin.

a downward look or glance.

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

Nearby words

down-market, down-the-line, down-to-earth, downbeat, downburst, downcast, downcome, downcomer, downcourt, downcurved, downcycle

Origin of downcast

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

SYNONYMS FOR downcast

2 sad, desolate, disconsolate; low, blue.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR downcast ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

down·cast·ly, adverbdown·cast·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for downcast

The soaked one squats on the bridge, eyes furious and downcast.
Whatever You Do Someone Will Die. A Short Story About Impossible Choices in Iraq|Nathan Bradley Bethea|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As he was taken down from the dock to be driven to prison he was downcast, as anyone would be who was publicly sacrificed.
Murdoch on the Rocks: How a Lone Reporter Revealed the Mogul's Tabloid Terror Machine|Clive Irving|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If we must confess it, they are quite offended and downcast when the cartoons stop.
Churchill Would Be Famous Today on the Strength of His Writing Alone|Anthony Paletta|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is downcast, and a senior member of his party comforts him in these words.
The Case for Trollope|David Frum|February 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Despite the fuzzy pictures, the Daily Mail was quick to point out the star looked "miserable" and “downcast.”
8 Reported Facts About the Cruise-Holmes Divorce|Nina Strochlic|July 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Instead she remarked: "I must get to work," and left her downcast suitor without further ceremony.
Big Timber|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Noll stood before him with downcast eyes and a trembling lip.
Culm Rock|Glance Gaylord
I went to my room a little drowsy, a little astonished, a little deceived and downcast, but through various impressions.
Hania|Henryk Sienkiewicz
Other guests were harboured by that hospitable sward, shambling, downcast lice of the town.
Rest Harrow|Maurice Hewlett
She thanked him with downcast eyes, but assured him that she would not require any.
The Brute|Frederic Arnold Kummer

British Dictionary definitions for downcast

downcast

/ (ˈdaʊnˌkɑːst) /

adjective

dejected

(esp of the eyes) directed downwards

noun

mining a ventilation shaft

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