downcast

[doun-kast, -kahst]

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).

Origin of downcast

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

Related formsdown·cast·ly, adverbdown·cast·ness, noun

Synonyms

See more synonyms for downcast on Thesaurus.com

2. sad, desolate, disconsolate; low, blue.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for downcast

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
He is downcast, and a senior member of his party comforts him in these words.
The Case for Trollope
David Frum
February 5, 2013
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

Historical Examples

His eyes, which had been downcast, lifted and glared on the questioner.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
"You are much safer here," said the girl, with downcast eyes.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
Her eyes were downcast--looking upon the waxed floor as if in meditation.
In the Valley
Harold Frederic
Bit by bit, word by word, the master drew the whole truth from the downcast lads.
The Channings
Mrs. Henry Wood
He was a good stout knight, but sorrowful of face and downcast of mien.
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
Howard Pyle

British Dictionary definitions for downcast

downcast

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

Word Origin and History for downcast

adj.

c.1600, from past participle of obsolete verb downcast (c.1300), from down (adv.) + cast (v.). Literal at first; figurative sense is 1630s.

downcast

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}downcast

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for downcast

Contemporary Examples

The soaked one squats on the bridge, eyes furious and downcast.

As he was taken down from the dock to be driven to prison he was downcast, as anyone would be who was publicly sacrificed.

If we must confess it, they are quite offended and downcast when the cartoons stop.

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

Despite the fuzzy pictures, the Daily Mail was quick to point out the star looked "miserable" and “downcast.”

Historical Examples

His eyes, which had been downcast, lifted and glared on the questioner.

"You are much safer here," said the girl, with downcast eyes.

Her eyes were downcast--looking upon the waxed floor as if in meditation.

Bit by bit, word by word, the master drew the whole truth from the downcast lads.

He was a good stout knight, but sorrowful of face and downcast of mien.

downcast

Word Origin and History for downcast

adj.

Origin of downcast