Downcast

/ˈdaʊnkɑːst/ adj, noun, verb

adj, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: Synonym of downthrow (“a depression of the strata on one side of a fault; also, the degree of downward displacement in such a fault”).
  • Grammar: downcast is listed as adj, noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: dispirited, beating, blue, bowed-down.
  • Useful contrasts: exultant, glad, buoyant.
  • Usage evidence: She went out of the room with downcast eyes.

How to use "downcast"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "downcast" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "downcast" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "downcast" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "downcast" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "downcast" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "dispirited" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "downcast", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Synonym of downthrow (“a depression of the strata on one side of a fault; also, the degree of downward displacement in such a fault”). obsolete

    "a downcast dyke"

  2. 2
    An act of looking downwards, usually as a sign of discouragement, sadness, etc., or sometimes modesty; hence (uncountable, archaic), dejection, melancholy. countable

    "[C]ome lets be ſad my girles, / That dovvne caſt of thine eye Olimpias, / Shovves a faind ſorrovv; […]"

  3. 3
    a ventilation shaft through which air enters a mine wordnet
  4. 4
    An act, or the situation, of being cast or thrown to the ground. archaic, countable, uncountable
  5. 5
    A defeat, an overthrow; also, an act of destruction or ruin. archaic, countable, figuratively, uncountable
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    A cast (“change of expression of a data type”) from supertype to subtype. countable
  2. 7
    A ventilating shaft down which air passes in circulating through a mine. attributive, countable
Verb
  1. 1
    To turn (the eyes) downwards, usually as a sign of discouragement, sadness, etc., or sometimes modesty. transitive
  2. 2
    To cast or throw (something) downwards; also, to drop or lower (something). transitive

    "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!"

  3. 3
    To demolish or tear down (a building, etc.). transitive
  4. 4
    To make (someone) feel despondent or discouraged; to discourage, to sadden. figuratively, transitive
  5. 5
    To cast (“change the expression of”) (a data type) from supertype to subtype. transitive
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    To reproach or upbraid (someone); also, to taunt (someone). Scotland, transitive
  2. 7
    To depose or overthrow (a leader, an institution, etc.); also (sometimes reflexive), to bring down (oneself or someone) from an exalted position; to humble. obsolete, transitive
Adjective
  1. 1
    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."

  2. 2
    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."

  3. 3
    Of a thing: directed downwards.
  4. 4
    Of a person: feeling despondent or discouraged. figuratively

    "His fine and lovely eyes were now lighted up with indignation, now subdued to downcast sorrow and quenched in infinite wretchedness."

  5. 5
    Of a person or thing: defeated, overthrown; also, destroyed, ruined. figuratively
Adjective
  1. 1
    filled with melancholy and despondency wordnet
  2. 2
    directed downward wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
dispiritedbeatingbluebowed-downbroken-heartedcast down

Antonyms

exultantgladbuoyantcheerful person

Example

"She went out of the room with downcast eyes."

Common questions

What does "downcast" mean?

Synonym of downthrow (“a depression of the strata on one side of a fault; also, the degree of downward displacement in such a fault”).

What is a synonym for "downcast"?

Common synonyms include: dispirited, beating, blue, bowed-down, broken-hearted, cast down.

How do you use "downcast" in a sentence?

She went out of the room with downcast eyes.

How do you pronounce "downcast"?

Pronounced /ˈdaʊnkɑːst/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

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). The noun is derived from the adjective.

Etymology 2

From Middle English downcast (“misfortune”), adoun-cast (“destruction, overthrow”), from adoun (“downward”) + cast (“a throw, a cast”) (from Old Norse kast (“a throw”), from kasten (“to cast, throw”)), from Middle English casten adoun: see etymology 1. The English word is analysable as down- (prefix meaning ‘lower direction or position’) + cast (“act of throwing”, noun).

Etymology 3

From Middle English doun-casten, *adoun-casten (“to cast or throw (something) downwards; 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.]”): see etymology 1. The English word is analysable as down- (prefix meaning ‘lower direction or position’) + cast (“to throw”, verb).

More for "downcast"

Synonyms

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