B2adverb3K

Downwards

UK /["/ˈdaʊnwədz/"]/US /["/ˈdaʊnwərdz/"]/

Definition

towards the ground; towards a lower place or position

In simple words: Moving to a lower place or level.

Examples

  • She was lying face downwards on the grass.
  • The garden sloped gently downwards to the river.
  • Nine per cent of commuters used public transport in 2018 and the trend is downwards.
  • It was a policy welcomed by world leaders from the US president downwards.
  • Official projections of the spread of AIDS have mercifully been revised downwards *(= it has been predicted that the disease will not spread as fast as had earlier been suggested)*.
  • The economy is in a bad state and the stock market is spiraling downwards.

Usage notes

Commonly used in both written and spoken English. Often refers to physical movement or direction, but can also indicate a decrease in status or quality. Avoid in highly formal contexts.

Grammar pattern

standalone adverb

Memory hint

Imagine going down a slide — you move downwards to the ground.

Collocations

  • look downwards
  • move downwards
  • trend downwards

Synonyms

  • down
  • downward
  • beneath
  • lower
  • below

Antonyms

  • upwards

Common mistakes

  • Using 'downward' instead of 'downwards' in British English contexts.
  • Confusing 'downwards' with 'downward' when referring to direction.
  • Not using the word when describing a decrease in something like prices or temperatures.