How to pronounce downcast
Say it like DOWN-kast. Downcast has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOWN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce downcast. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOWN
- kast
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Downcast pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DOWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- kastGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of downcast
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: DOWN-kahst.
What does downcast mean?
- Of the eyes, a facial expression, etc.: looking downwards, usually as a sign of discouragement, sadness, etc., or sometimes modesty.
- Of a person or thing: cast or thrown to the ground.
- Of a thing: directed downwards.
- An act of looking downwards, usually as a sign of discouragement, sadness, etc., or sometimes modesty; hence (uncountable, archaic), dejection, melancholy.
- A cast (“change of expression of a data type”) from supertype to subtype.
- A ventilating shaft down which air passes in circulating through a mine.
- To turn (the eyes) downwards, usually as a sign of discouragement, sadness, etc., or sometimes modesty.
- To cast or throw (something) downwards; also, to drop or lower (something).
- To demolish or tear down (a building, etc.).
Where does downcast come from?
The noun is derived from the adjective.
Questions about saying downcast
How do you pronounce downcast?
Say DOWN-kast. The American pronunciation is /ˈdaʊnˌkæst/. In British English it is /ˈdaʊnkɑːst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in downcast?
Downcast has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOWN). Broken into parts: DOWN · kast.
Is downcast pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /ˈdaʊnkɑːst/ (DOWN-kahst).