How to pronounce crestfallen
Say it like KREST-faw-lun. Crestfallen has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KREST).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce crestfallen. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KREST
- faw
- lun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Crestfallen pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KRESTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- fawKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- lunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of crestfallen
American and British speakers say crestfallen in essentially the same way: /ˈkrɛstfɔlən/ in the US and /ˈkrɛstfɔːlən/ in the UK.
British respelling: KREST-faw-lun.
What does crestfallen mean?
- Sad because of a disappointment.
Where does crestfallen come from?
From crest + fallen, from the appearance of a horse with its crest (head) on its chest after defeat in a battle.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying crestfallen
How do you pronounce crestfallen?
Say KREST-faw-lun. The American pronunciation is /ˈkrɛstfɔlən/. In British English it is /ˈkrɛstfɔːlən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in crestfallen?
Crestfallen has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KREST). Broken into parts: KREST · faw · lun.
Do Americans and Brits say crestfallen the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkrɛstfɔlən/ and the British form is /ˈkrɛstfɔːlən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.