downcast

[ doun-kast, -kahst ]

/ ˈdaʊnˌkæst, -ˌkɑst /

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See synonyms for: downcast / downcastness 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).

OTHER WORDS FOR downcast

2 sad, desolate, disconsolate; low, blue.

See synonyms for downcast on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of downcast

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

OTHER WORDS FROM downcast

downcastly, adverbdowncastness, noun

Words nearby downcast

down-ballot, downbeat, down-bow, downburst, down card, downcast, down cold, have, downcome, downcomer, downcourt, downcurved

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use downcast in a sentence

“I had to have tricks, like moving through the set with my eyes downcast, so that when I opened my eyes I’d be experiencing everything only as Cora, because otherwise it would be too much for Thuso to take in,” Mbedu says.
Filming ‘The Underground Railroad’ was grueling. But the cast grasped ‘the weight of what we were doing.’|Stuart Miller|May 13, 2021|Washington Post
Others were more downcast in acknowledging the loss, which was far closer than pollsters predicted.
‘Today, We Celebrate. Tomorrow, We Work’|Nick Fouriezos|November 8, 2020|Ozy
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
The old man stood, with eyes downcast and hands clasped before him, a picture of humility.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
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

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

downcast

OTHER WORDS FOR downcast

Origin of downcast

OTHER WORDS FROM downcast

Words nearby downcast

Words related to downcast

How to use downcast in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for downcast