WordValecrestfallen
sad and disappointed
In more detail
sad and disappointed because something you hoped for did not happen
Examples
- She looked crestfallen when she didn't get the job she wanted.
How to use crestfallen
Crestfallen describes a visible emotional state of disappointment, often with a sense of lost pride or deflation of hopes. It carries a slightly more literary or expressive tone than plain 'disappointed' and often implies that the letdown was noticeable to others. It works well in narrative contexts and emotional descriptions.
Common phrases
- look crestfallen
- feel crestfallen
- crestfallen expression
- crestfallen face
- crestfallen at the news
Synonyms
disappointed · disheartened · deflated · downcast · dispirited
Opposites
elated · overjoyed · thrilled
Word family
crest (noun) · fallen (adjective/past participle of fall)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes treat it as a mild disappointment when it actually suggests a deeper, more visible dejection—it is stronger than merely 'a bit sad' about something.
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