crestfallen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crestfallen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is sad, disappointed, or dejected, often after a setback or failure. Example: "After hearing the news of his team's loss, he felt crestfallen and struggled to find the motivation to continue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brazil's crestfallen players have admitted they will be scarred for life by the record defeat to Germany, with the humiliation having left the squad perplexed and pained as they somehow attempt to rouse themselves for Saturday's third-place play-off in Brasília.

The Guardian - Sport

Pietersen smiled, walked up to the momentarily crestfallen Dunn and shook him by the hand: after all, together they had added 139 for Surrey's final wicket in their match against Leicestershire, of which Dunn's share had been five.

The Guardian - Sport

With their dreams shattered, dejected members of the SNP and other parties in the yes camp instead listened to a crestfallen Alex Salmond concede defeat at 6.15am.

The Guardian

I was thus a little crestfallen when I turned up at his headquarters to find an anonymous brown office building, just off a suburban freeway, and few trucks in sight.

The Economist

We are not sure that the law allows them to do this," says a crestfallen spokeswoman for Telenor, which used to pride itself on its good relations with the Russian authorities.

The Economist

Programmers do not know how to tackle that problem.There is another reason not to feel too crestfallen even if Deep Blue does beat Mr Kasparov.

The Economist

Instead, it will be the look of crestfallen outrage that fell over the face of Ashley Wagner, an American figure skater, after hearing the judges' scores following her short programme in the team competition.

The Economist

Call him the usher of a new jazz age, put him on the cover of Time magazine, where he landed in 1954, and he was crestfallen.

The Economist

When the school gained its "Outstanding" grade, pupils were crestfallen to hear that this did not bring a badge.

The Economist

Can Muqtada cut our foreign debt, asks one, crestfallen to see his fellow Iraqis embracing another despot.

The Economist

As foreign minister, he was crestfallen to find himself cold-shouldered by his regional counterparts and by others farther afield.But some Israelis want to keep it that way.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crestfallen" to describe a palpable sense of disappointment that is evident either in someone's expression or their actions. It is suitable for situations where the disappointment is noticeable and impactful.

Common error

While "crestfallen" is a vivid descriptor, relying on it too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "disappointed", "dejected", or "downcast" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crestfallen" is as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of disappointment or dejection. Ludwig AI's examples highlight this usage, showing how it depicts the emotional state of individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "crestfallen" is frequently employed to describe a noticeable state of disappointment or dejection, typically following a setback or failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially within news and media contexts. For variety in writing, consider alternatives like "disappointed", "dejected", or "downcast", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using "crestfallen", ensure it accurately reflects a palpable sense of disappointment in someone's demeanor or actions. While versatile, avoid overuse to prevent repetitiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disappointed

A more general term for feeling let down after an unmet expectation.

Dejected

Implies a lower level of morale, closer to being dispirited.

Downcast

Emphasizes a saddened facial expression or demeanor.

Despondent

Suggests a deeper sense of hopelessness and loss of spirit.

Discouraged

Highlights a loss of confidence or motivation.

Disheartened

Similar to discouraged but with a stronger emotional impact.

Let down

A more informal way to describe being disappointed by someone or something.

Disillusioned

Describes a loss of faith or trust in something previously admired.

Down in the dumps

An informal idiom indicating a state of unhappiness or depression.

Chapfallen

An older, somewhat archaic term synonymous with crestfallen, with a similar connotation of sadness and disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "crestfallen" in a sentence?

"Crestfallen" is typically used to describe someone's appearance or demeanor when they are deeply disappointed. For example: "After the game, the team looked "crestfallen"."

What can I say instead of "crestfallen"?

You can use alternatives like "disappointed", "dejected", or "downcast" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "He was crestfallen" or "He felt crestfallen"?

Both are correct, but "He was crestfallen" is more concise and common. "He felt crestfallen" emphasizes the internal emotion, but is less frequently used.

What's the difference between "crestfallen" and "sad"?

"Sad" is a general term for feeling unhappy. "Crestfallen" implies a specific kind of sadness resulting from disappointment or a setback. Someone who is ""crestfallen"" isn't just sad; they're sad because something specific didn't go their way.