What is crestfallen? Pronunciation and usage in English

crestfallen means . Learn how to pronounce and use crestfallen through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of crestfallen

crestfallenadjective

/ˈkrestfɔːlən//ˈkrestfɔːlən/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "crestfallen." It’s a tricky one! Here's a breakdown with phonetic approximations and tips:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/kres(t)ˈfɑːlən/

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • crest: Pronounced like "crest" as in a mountain peak – /kres/ (The 't' is silent)
  • fallen: Pronounced like "fallen" – /ˈfɑːlən/
    • fa: Pronounced like the word "father" – /fɑː/
    • len: Pronounced like "lawn" – /lən/

Putting it all together:

  1. kres (like "crest") – Say it quickly and clearly.
  2. t (silent)
  3. ˈfɑːlən – This is the tricky part! Here’s how to approach it:
    • fa: As in "father."
    • lən: As in "lawn." The "n" at the end is very light.

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable – "fallen." This is indicated by the inverted caret (ˈ) before "fallen."
  • The ‘t’: The ‘t’ in “crest” is silent. Don’t say it.
  • Sound of ‘a’: The ‘a’ in “fallen” is a broad ‘a’ – similar to the ‘a’ in "father." It's not a short, “ah” sound.
  • Smooth Flow: Try to say it as one flowing word, rather than breaking it into distinct parts.

Resources for Hearing it:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What is your native language? (This helps me understand potential pronunciation challenges).

Usage and examples with the word crestfallen in English

Let's break down how to use the word "crestfallen." It's a wonderfully evocative word, but it's a bit more nuanced than simply meaning "sad."

What does "crestfallen" mean?

"Crestfallen" describes someone who looks dejected, disappointed, and subdued – typically because they've experienced a setback, a failure, or a loss. It suggests a distinct appearance of sadness, resembling the look of a horse or other animal that has lost its crest (mane) and hangs its head.

Here's how to use it, with examples:

  1. Describing Appearance: The core of "crestfallen" is its visual aspect. It's about how someone looks.

    • Example: "After failing his driving test for the third time, he looked completely crestfallen, his shoulders slumped and his eyes downcast." (Notice how the description of slumped shoulders and downcast eyes emphasizes the visual appearance.)
    • Example: "She arrived at the party crestfallen after hearing the news about her friend's move."

  2. Showing Emotion (Often Implying a Quiet Sadness): It often implies a deeper sadness than just saying "sad." It’s a more poignant and expressive word.

    • Example: "He was crestfallen when his team lost the championship game, though he tried to hide it from his friends." (Suggests he's really disappointed, not just mildly bummed.)
    • Example: "The news left her crestfallen; she’d been eagerly anticipating the invitation."

  3. Figurative Use (Less Common): You can sometimes use it figuratively, though it’s less frequent and might sound a bit dramatic.

    • Example: "The company's profits slumped, leaving its employees crestfallen." (Here, it describes the overall feeling of the employees – disappointed due to the financial situation).

Key Points to Remember:

  • It’s not just about sadness: It’s more about the look of sadness – the lowered head, the slumped posture, the generally defeated appearance.
  • It suggests a deeper feeling: It often hints at a more significant disappointment than a simple "I'm sad."
  • Pair it with descriptive words: To really capture the meaning, combine "crestfallen" with words that describe the cause of the sadness or the details of the person's appearance.

Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Dejected
  • Disheartened
  • Discouraged
  • Downcast
  • Gloomy
  • Somber

Let's Practice:

Can you write a sentence using "crestfallen" to describe someone feeling disappointed after a bad grade?

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Help you brainstorm scenarios where "crestfallen" would be a good choice?

Synonyms for the word crestfallen

Practice with vocabulary crestfallen

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After the funding application was rejected, the research team was utterly ___________ by the news.
  2. She maintained a ___________ disposition throughout the difficult negotiations, refusing to show weakness.
  3. The unexpected setback left the entire department feeling ___________ about the future of the project.
  4. Seeing his name missing from the promotion list, John walked out of the meeting room, his shoulders slumped and his face ___________.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. When the CEO announced the company's financial struggles, the mood in the boardroom became immediately ___________. A) elated B) jubilant C) crestfallen D) disheartened E) triumphant

  2. Despite the challenging circumstances, her ___________ attitude inspired everyone to persevere. A) optimistic B) despondent C) buoyant D) downcast E) hopeful

  3. The young athlete was visibly ___________ after failing to qualify for the national team. A) ecstatic B) dejected C) crestfallen D) indifferent E) thrilled

  4. The committee's decision was met with widespread ___________ from the local community. A) approbation B) discontent C) acclaim D) disapproval E) resentment

  5. He delivered the bad news about the project's cancellation with a ___________ expression, knowing the impact it would have. A) gleeful B) jubilant C) sorrowful D) crestfallen E) buoyant

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: After receiving the rejection letter from her dream university, Sarah felt extremely disappointed and sad. Rewrite:

  2. Original: The team's morale dropped significantly after their innovative proposal was unexpectedly turned down by the board. Rewrite:

  3. Original: Despite facing numerous obstacles, the determined startup founders remained positive and continued to work hard towards their goals. Rewrite:

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. crestfallen
  2. resolute
  3. disheartened
  4. crestfallen

Exercise 2:

  1. C) crestfallen, D) disheartened
  2. A) optimistic, C) buoyant, E) hopeful
  3. B) dejected, C) crestfallen
  4. B) discontent, D) disapproval, E) resentment
  5. C) sorrowful, D) crestfallen

Exercise 3:

  1. After receiving the rejection letter from her dream university, Sarah was utterly crestfallen.
  2. The team was left crestfallen when their innovative proposal was unexpectedly turned down by the board.
  3. Despite facing numerous obstacles, the determined startup founders remained optimistic and continued to work hard towards their goals.

Comment ()