adjective

crestfallen

crestfallen, dejected, disappointed, downcast

He looked crestfallen after hearing the news.

He looked crestfallen after hearing the news.

The team was crestfallen after their defeat.

The team was crestfallen after their defeat.

to be/look/feel crestfallen to be sad and disappointed He looked crestfallen at the news.

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

From 'crest' (a rooster's comb, a symbol of pride) + 'fallen'. It literally means 'with fallen crest', like a defeated rooster.

Imagine a proud rooster whose crest has fallen down after losing a fight. He looks very sad and defeated.

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