genuinely crestfallen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "genuinely crestfallen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is truly and deeply disappointed or sad about a situation. Example: "After hearing the news of the team's loss, she looked genuinely crestfallen, her smile fading instantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When my mother died, he looked genuinely crestfallen.

The New York Times

The list of events this year included a so-called 'VC/entrepreneur networking event and pitch session.' I did not attend, but a close friend did, and reported "it was the ultimate Poe's Law event … many people were genuinely crestfallen when they realized it was a joke".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He'll be crestfallen at his own fate, but he nevertheless looks genuinely happy for the young Australian, who has been through so much pain in majors.

The Guardian - Sport

They looked crestfallen.

The New Yorker

The students seemed crestfallen.

The New York Times

Mr. Marcus said he was "crestfallen, absolutely crestfallen".

The New York Times

Malisse was crestfallen.

The New York Times - Sports

She looks crestfallen.

The New York Times

The owner seems crestfallen.

The New York Times - Arts

I look crestfallen.

The Guardian

Ms. Klum looked crestfallen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "genuinely crestfallen", consider the context to ensure the depth of disappointment aligns with the situation described. Overuse can dilute its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "genuinely crestfallen" in situations where mild disappointment is more appropriate. The phrase implies a significant emotional letdown, so choose it carefully to match the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "genuinely crestfallen" functions as a descriptive expression. Grammatically, "genuinely" modifies the adjective "crestfallen", intensifying the emotion. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, effectively portraying deep disappointment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "genuinely crestfallen" is a grammatically sound and effective way to express sincere disappointment. Though relatively rare in usage, as confirmed by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. The phrase consists of the adverb "genuinely" modifying the adjective "crestfallen", intensifying the emotion. When writing, consider using alternatives like "truly disappointed" or "sincerely saddened" to tailor the nuance to your specific context. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms that this phrase is both valid and expressive for portraying deep emotional letdown.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely saddened

A more direct synonym, replacing 'crestfallen' with 'saddened'.

truly disappointed

Emphasizes disappointment without necessarily implying deep sadness.

sincerely disappointed

Highlights the disappointment aspect with sincerity.

sincerely saddened

Focuses on the feeling of sadness with a sense of honesty.

deeply disheartened

Suggests a loss of enthusiasm and hope.

visibly dejected

Highlights the outward appearance of sadness.

utterly crushed

Indicates a more intense feeling of devastation.

plainly downcast

Focuses on a subdued and melancholic mood.

truly heartbroken

Emphasizes a deep emotional pain, often associated with loss.

absolutely devastated

Conveys an overwhelming sense of shock and grief.

FAQs

How can I use "genuinely crestfallen" in a sentence?

Use "genuinely crestfallen" to describe someone who is deeply and visibly disappointed. For example, "After losing the competition, she looked "genuinely crestfallen".".

What are some alternatives to "genuinely crestfallen"?

You can use alternatives like "truly disappointed", "sincerely saddened", or "deeply disheartened", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "genuinely" with "crestfallen"?

While "crestfallen" already implies disappointment, adding "genuinely" emphasizes the sincerity and depth of the feeling. It can be effective if you want to highlight the authenticity of the person's emotional state.

What is the difference between "crestfallen" and "disappointed"?

"Crestfallen" implies a more profound sense of sadness and dejection than simply being "disappointed". Someone who is "crestfallen" might feel a significant loss of hope or confidence, whereas "disappointed" can describe a milder feeling of unmet expectations.