downstairs

1 of 3

adverb

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsterz 

: down the stairs : on or to a lower floor

downstairs

2 of 3

adjective

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˌsterz 

: situated on the main, lower, or ground floor of a building

downstairs

3 of 3

noun

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsterz 

ˈdau̇n-ˌsterz

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: the lower floor of a building

Examples of downstairs in a Sentence

Adverb

He ran downstairs to answer the door.

He lives downstairs from us.

“Where are the kids?” “They're downstairs.”

Adjective

There are five downstairs rooms.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

On June 14, 2017, a fire broke out on the fourth floor shortly before 1 A.M. Residents were advised to stay in place, but Hanan’s sixteen-year-old son insisted on taking his eight-year-old sister downstairs and urged his parents to escape. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

Investigators believe the fire originated downstairs and that no foul play is suspected, according to the TV station. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1598, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing downstairs

• the downstairs

Kids Definition

downstairs

1 of 3 adverb

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsta(ə)rz 

-ˈste(ə)rz

: down the stairs : on or to a lower floor

downstairs

2 of 3 adjective

down·​stairs -ˌsta(ə)rz 

-ˌste(ə)rz

: situated on a lower level or on the main or first floor

downstairs

3 of 3 noun singular or plural

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsta(ə)rz 

-ˈste(ə)rz,

-ˌsta(ə)rz,

-ˌste(ə)rz

: the lower floor of a building