adjective

crestfallen

dejected, disappointed, sad

He looked crestfallen after hearing the bad news.

He looked crestfallen after hearing the bad news.

The team was crestfallen after their unexpected defeat.

The team was crestfallen after their unexpected defeat.

((sb.)) be crestfallen to be dejected or sad The team was crestfallen after their defeat.

Synonyms: dejected, despondent, downcast; Antonyms: elated, jubilant, cheerful

From 'crest' (a rooster's comb) + 'fallen'. A rooster's crest droops when it is defeated in a fight.

Picture a proud rooster whose crest has fallen after losing a fight.

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