What does downhearted mean?
Downhearted is an adjective used to describe a person who feels discouraged, disheartened, or depressed, often due to a specific situation or setback. It can be used to describe a range of emotions, from mild disappointment to deep sadness. The word is often used in both formal and informal contexts, and can be used interchangeably with words like dejected or disheartened. However, downhearted may have slightly different connotations depending on the situation, and can be used to describe a person's emotional state in a more nuanced way. For example, someone who is downhearted may be feeling discouraged or demotivated, but still have a sense of hope or optimism. Overall, downhearted is a useful word for describing a range of negative emotions, and can be used in a variety of contexts to add depth and nuance to one's language.
adjectiveFeeling or showing discouragement or disheartenment. A person who is downhearted feels sad or depressed, often due to a specific situation or setback.
- Having a low or depressed state of mind, often due to disappointment or failure.
- Showing a lack of enthusiasm or confidence.
"After losing the job, she felt downhearted and struggled to motivate herself to start looking for new opportunities."
"The team felt downhearted after their loss in the championship game."
"He was downhearted about his chances of getting into his preferred college."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of downhearted
The word downhearted has its roots in the Old English words 'dun' meaning 'down' and 'heorte' meaning 'heart' or 'spirit'. The word has evolved over time to describe a state of being disheartened or discouraged. It is related to other words like heart, down, and hearted, and has been used in the English language since the 15th century.
Usage notes
Downhearted is often used in formal and informal contexts to describe a person's emotional state. It can be used interchangeably with words like dejected or disheartened, but may have slightly different connotations depending on the situation.