downward
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.


1down·ward

adverb \ˈdan-wərd\

Definition of DOWNWARD

1
a : from a higher to a lower place
b : toward a direction that is the opposite of up
2
: from a higher to a lower condition
3
a : from an earlier time
b : from an ancestor or predecessor

Variants of DOWNWARD

down·ward or down·wards \-wərdz\

Examples of DOWNWARD

  1. The mountain streams flow downward to the lake.
  2. Mud covered his pants from the knees downward.

First Known Use of DOWNWARD

13th century

Related to DOWNWARD

Synonyms
below, down (or downwards), over
Antonyms
up, upward (or upwards), upwardly

2downward

adjective

Definition of DOWNWARD

1
: moving or extending downward
2
: descending from a head, origin, or source
down·ward·ly adverb
down·ward·ness noun

Examples of DOWNWARD

  1. Sales continued their downward trend.
  2. the downward revision of an estimate

First Known Use of DOWNWARD

circa 1552

Related to DOWNWARD

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: downwarp (verb)
Previous Word in the Dictionary: Down Under
All Words Near: downward

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up downward? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Name That Thing

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

#6: Flabbergast
: to overwhelm with shock,
surprise, or wonder
See All Top 25 Entries »
Get Our Free Apps
Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More
Join Us on FB & Twitter
Get the Word of the Day and More