crestfallen
/ˈkɹɛstfɔːlən/
Group 16Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Sad and disappointed GRE
Example in Context
The team looked crestfallen after learning that their proposal, which they had spent months developing, had been rejected in the first round of review.
Synonyms
dejecteddisappointeddowncast
Etymology
Describes someone whose spirit has fallen from the top.
- crest (Old French) — top
- fallen (Old English) — to fall
Memory Aid
😞Sounds like “crest-fallen”
Imagine a mountain climber at the CREST, suddenly FALLING into a pit of disappointment — utterly CRESTFALLEN!
Visual Association
😔A cartoon character with droopy ears and a frown, sitting on a rock after losing a big game.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “crestfallen” mean on the GRE?
crestfallen (adjective) means “Sad and disappointed”. The team looked crestfallen after learning that their proposal, which they had spent months developing, had been rejected in the first round of review.
How to remember “crestfallen” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “crestfallen” sounds like “crest-fallen”. Imagine a mountain climber at the CREST, suddenly FALLING into a pit of disappointment — utterly CRESTFALLEN!
What are synonyms for “crestfallen”?
Common synonyms: dejected, disappointed, downcast.