Crestfallen

Pronunciation

• UK: IPA: /ˈkrÉ›stfɔːlÉ™n/
• US: IPA: /ˈkrÉ›stfÉ”lÉ™n/
• cot-caught merger: IPA: /ˈkrÉ›stfÉ‘lÉ™n/

Origin

From crest + fallen, from the appearance of a horse and its position of head on its crest (chest) after defeat in a battle

Full definition of crestfallen

Adjective

1. Sad because of a recent disappointment.
2. Depressed.
3. (obsolete, of a horse) Having the crest, or upper part of the neck, hanging to one side.

Synonyms

• sad because of a recent disappointment: disappointed, disillusioned
• depressed: blue, dejected, despondent, depressed, downcast, down in the dumps, sorrowful

Derived terms

• crest-fall
• crestfallenly
• crestfallenness