WordGarden.iodownward
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈaʊnwəd/
US
- /ˈdaʊnwərd/
Meanings
Adverb
toward or into a lower position
to a lower amount, level, rank, or condition
Adjective
moving, pointing, or sloping toward a lower position
becoming lower, smaller, or worse
Beyond the definition
"Downward" describes movement or direction that goes lower, either in a real, physical way or in a more figurative one. A skier may glide downward on a slope, and a person's mood may take a downward turn after bad news. The word often suggests a drop, decline, or movement toward a lower point. It can sound negative when it refers to loss or trouble, but not always. A gentle downward slope, for example, can feel calm and easy.
The word "downward" indicates movement, direction, or a tendency toward a lower level, position, or state. It's more than just down; it suggests motion or change in that direction. Think of a waterfall cascading downward over rocks: the water is not simply at a lower point, it is actively moving there.
You'll encounter "downward" describing physical movement: "The plane began its downward trajectory," or "She cast her gaze downward." But it's frequently used to describe trends and changes in abstract concepts. Economists might discuss a "downward trend" in unemployment rates (which is good!), while psychologists could talk about a "downward spiral" of depression (which is not).
"Downward" can also refer to directionality within systems or structures. For example, "downward communication" refers to information flowing from managers to employees. It's often paired with other words to create specific meanings: downward-sloping (a line on a graph), downward-facing (like in yoga poses), and downward comparison (comparing yourself to those less fortunate).
So, whether describing the path of an object, the direction of a trend, or the flow of information, "downward" always points toward a lower state—be it physical, emotional, or conceptual.
Examples
- 1
Road direction
The road slopes downward after the bridge.
- 2
Looking down
She glanced downward at the wet floor before stepping inside.
- 3
Sales trend
Sales have been on a downward trend for most of the year.
- Phraseon a downward trend
gradually decreasing over time
- 4
Price pressure
The new tax could put downward pressure on house prices.
- Patterndownward pressure on + amount/value
a force that makes it decrease
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Worsening situation
After the layoffs began, the company fell into a downward spiral.
- Phrasedownward spiral
a situation that keeps getting worse
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- downwardadjectiveadverb