downcast means of the eyes, a facial expression, etc.: looking downwards, usually as a sign of discouragement, sadness, etc., or sometimes modesty.
downcast is pronounced /ˈdaʊnkɑːst/.
Why “downcast” is a great word
Looking downwards, typically as a sign of sadness, discouragement, or modesty. From Middle English *doun-casten*, from down ("in a downward direction") + casten ("to throw"), from Old Norse *kasta* ("to cast, throw"), from Proto-Germanic *kastōną* ("to throw"), first attested in the early 1500s. Unlike "dejected," which names a general state of low spirits, or "subdued," which suggests a quieting of emotion, "downcast" is precisely located in the body, in the specific tilt of a head. It is the averted gaze of a scolded child, the defeated slump of shoulders that pulls the eyes earthward, or the studied modesty of a lowered face in prayer—the moment when gravity claims the heaviest parts first, as if looking down might let the sorrow drain out through the eyes, or at least hide how much has already pooled there.
Etymology
The adjective is derived from Middle English doun-casten, *adoun-casten (“(adjective) cast down, dejected; (verb) to break down (something); to overcome (someone); to overturn (something)”), from down (“in a downward direction; (figurative) to destruction”), adoun (“downward”) + casten (“to throw (something), fling, hurl; to overcome (someone), defeat, overpower; [etc.]”) (from Old Norse kasta (“to cast, throw”), from Proto-Germanic *kastōną (“to throw”), from *kas- (“to throw, toss; to bring up”); further etymology uncertain), modelled similarly to other constructions in Middle English such as adoun-throwen (“to throw down”) and adoun-werpen (“to throw down”)). The English word is analysable as down- (prefix meaning ‘lower direction or position’) + cast (“that has been thrown”, adjective)
adj
- Of the eyes, a facial expression, etc.: looking downwards, usually as a sign of discouragement, sadness, etc., or sometimes modesty.“Briefly then heere Dido, with downe caſt phiſnomie, parled.”
- Of a person or thing: cast or thrown to the ground.“VVhere liues all vvoe? conduct him to vs three, / The dovvne-caſt ruines of calamitie.”
- Of a thing: directed downwards.
- Of a person: feeling despondent or discouraged.“His fine and lovely eyes were now lighted up with indignation, now subdued to downcast sorrow and quenched in infinite wretchedness.”
- Of a person or thing: defeated, overthrown; also, destroyed, ruined.
noun
- Synonym of downthrow (“a depression of the strata on one side of a fault; also, the degree of downward displacement in such a fault”).“a downcast dyke”
- An act of looking downwards, usually as a sign of discouragement, sadness, etc., or sometimes modesty; hence (uncountable, archaic), dejection, melancholy.“[C]ome lets be ſad my girles, / That dovvne caſt of thine eye Olimpias, / Shovves a faind ſorrovv; […]”
- An act, or the situation, of being cast or thrown to the ground.
- A defeat, an overthrow; also, an act of destruction or ruin.
- A cast (“change of expression of a data type”) from supertype to subtype.
- A ventilating shaft down which air passes in circulating through a mine.
verb
- To turn (the eyes) downwards, usually as a sign of discouragement, sadness, etc., or sometimes modesty.
- To cast or throw (something) downwards; also, to drop or lower (something).“For there shall come a mightier blast, / There shall be a darker day; / And the stars, from heaven down-cast, / Like red leaves be swept away!”
- To demolish or tear down (a building, etc.).
- To make (someone) feel despondent or discouraged; to discourage, to sadden.
- To cast (“change the expression of”) (a data type) from supertype to subtype.
- To reproach or upbraid (someone); also, to taunt (someone).
- To depose or overthrow (a leader, an institution, etc.); also (sometimes reflexive), to bring down (oneself or someone) from an exalted position; to humble.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- despond 85% match — To give up the will, courage, or spirit; to become dejected, lose heart. vs downcast →
- scowl 84% match — The wrinkling of the brows or face in frowning; the expression of displeasure, sullenness, or discontent in the countenance; an angry frown. vs downcast →
- forlorn 84% match — Abandoned, deserted, left behind. vs downcast →
- dismay 84% match — To cause to feel apprehension; great sadness, or fear; to deprive of energy. vs downcast →
- rueful 83% match — Causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow, especially in a wry or humorous way. vs downcast →
- disconsolate 83% match — Cheerless, dreary. vs downcast →
- gloom 83% match — Darkness, dimness, or obscurity. vs downcast →
- abject 83% match — Existing in or sunk to a low condition, position, or state; contemptible, despicable, miserable. vs downcast →