Downcast Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

😔

Add to dictionary

downcast

[ˈdaʊnˌkæst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

Feeling sad or depressed.

Synonyms

depressed, disheartened, sad.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
downcast	Typically used when someone is looking or feeling despondent and their mood is visibly low. She felt downcast after hearing the bad news. His downcast eyes spoke volumes about his current state of mind.
depressed	Refers to a clinical state or a severe, prolonged feeling of sadness. It's more clinical and serious. He has been depressed ever since he lost his job. She sought help from a therapist because she was feeling depressed.
sad	Used in general situations when someone feels unhappy or sorrowful. It is the most common and less intense term. She felt sad when her friend moved away. It's sad to see so many people affected by the hurricane.
disheartened	Used when someone loses motivation or confidence due to a setback or disappointment. After failing the exam, she felt completely disheartened. He was disheartened by the lack of support from his colleagues.

Examples of usage

She had a downcast expression after hearing the bad news.
His downcast eyes revealed his disappointment.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

appearance

Looking sad or depressed.

Synonyms

gloomy, melancholy, mournful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
downcast	Used to describe someone who is feeling sad or dejected, often looking down physically. This word can imply a personal emotional struggle. She felt downcast after hearing the disappointing news. His downcast eyes revealed his sorrow.
melancholy	Used to depict a deep, reflective sadness. It's often associated with a nostalgic or wistful feeling rather than an immediate or intense sadness. There was a sense of melancholy in her voice as she talked about her childhood. He felt a melancholy longing for the carefree days of his youth.
gloomy	Describes an atmosphere or situation that is dark, depressing, or filled with despair. It is also used for people but conveys a deeper sense of pervasive sadness. The gloomy weather made everyone feel a bit more subdued. He had a gloomy outlook on the future.
mournful	Best used to describe a profound and often public expression of grief, typically after a significant loss or death. It carries a strong emotional weight. The mournful cries at the funeral could be heard from afar. She wrote a mournful poem about her late husband.

Examples of usage

She walked with a downcast face.
His downcast gaze indicated his sorrow.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

action

To lower or direct one's gaze downwards.

Synonyms

avert, lower, turn down.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
downcast	Used to describe someone who looks sad, disappointed, or is feeling low in spirits. This word often has a negative emotional connotation. She looked downcast after hearing the bad news. His downcast eyes revealed his sorrow.
lower	Used to describe the action of moving something down or reducing its level, value, or strength. It can also be used to refer to a more subdued or quieter state. Can you lower the volume? They decided to lower the price of the tickets.
avert	Used when indicating the act of preventing something bad from happening or turning away one’s eyes or thoughts from something unpleasing. Doctors were able to avert a health crisis. She averted her gaze to avoid eye contact.
turn down	Used to describe rejecting or refusing something, such as an offer or invitation. It can also be used to indicate decreasing the intensity of something, like sound or light. She decided to turn down the job offer. Please turn down the music, it's too loud.

Examples of usage

She downcast her eyes to avoid making eye contact.
He downcast his gaze in shame.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

People who feel downcast may experience changes in body language, like hunched shoulders or lowered heads, signaling their mood.
Research shows that expressing emotions, including feeling downcast, is vital for mental health, allowing for processing and healing.

Literature

In classic poetry, downcast characters often symbolize deeper themes of struggle, as seen in works by poets like John Keats.
Novels like 'The Catcher in the Rye' feature downcast protagonists who reflect a sense of alienation and disappointment in society.

Pop Culture

Songs frequently explore themes of feeling downcast, such as 'Fix You' by Coldplay, which expresses yearning to help someone in emotional pain.
Many animated films showcase characters that start off downcast but find their way to happiness, teaching lessons about resilience.

Cultural References

In various cultures, symbols of sadness, like the weeping willow tree, are often used to express feelings associated with being downcast.
Downcast emotions are recognized in traditional medicine practices globally, suggesting holistic approaches to addressing sadness.

Origin of 'downcast'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the combination of 'down,' meaning low, and 'cast,' suggesting something thrown or directed downward.
Originally, it was used in the context of looking down, both physically and emotionally, dating back to the 15th century.

The word 'downcast' originated from the combination of 'down' and 'cast', where 'down' refers to something lower or depressed, and 'cast' means to direct one's gaze or eyes in a particular direction. The term has been used since the 16th century to describe a feeling of sadness or a downward gaze.