down

¹down

adv \ˈdau̇n\

Definition of DOWN

1

a (1) : toward or in a lower physical position (2) : to a lying or sitting position (3) : toward or to the ground, floor, or bottom b : as a down payment <paid $10 down> c : on paper <put down what he says>

2

: in a direction that is the opposite of up: as a : southward b : to or toward a point away from the speaker or the speaker's point of reference c : in or into the stomach <can't keep food down>

3

: to a lesser degree, level, or rate <cool down tensions>

4

: to or toward a lower position in a series

5

a : to or in a lower or worse condition or status b —used to indicate thoroughness or completion <dusted down the house> <described him down to his haircut>

6

: from a past time <stories passed down by word of mouth>

7

: to or in a state of less activity or prominence

8

: to a concentrated state <got the report down to three pages>

9

: into defeat <voted the motion down>

— down to the ground

: perfectly, completely <that suits me down to the ground>

Examples of DOWN

1. The land slopes down to the sea.
2. She called down to her friends in the street below.
3. They set the cake down on the table.
4. Lay down your book for a minute.
5. We watched the sun go down.
6. We keep our wine collection down in the basement.
7. What's going on down there?
8. He fell down and hurt his knee.
9. Climb down out of that tree!
10. He knocked him down with one punch.

Origin of DOWN

Middle English doun, from Old English dūne, short for adūne, of dūne, from a- (from of), of off, from + dūne, dative of dūn hill

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to DOWN

Synonyms: below, downward (or downwards), over

Antonyms: up, upward (or upwards), upwardly

Related Words: facedown; low; downgrade, downhill, downstairs

Near Antonyms: aloft

see all synonyms and antonyms

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