downtown

1 of 2

adjective

down·​town ˌdau̇n-ˈtau̇n 

1

: of, relating to, or located in the lower part or business center of a city or town

2

: hip, trendy

downtown music

downtown adverb

downtown

2 of 2

noun

down·​town ˌdau̇n-ˈtau̇n  ˈdau̇n-ˌtau 

: the lower part of a city or town

also : the main business district or central part of a city or town

downtowner

ˌdau̇n-ˈtau̇-nər 

noun

Synonyms of downtown

Adjective

• hip
• now
• fashionable
• in
• stylish
• trendy
• chic

Examples of downtown in a Sentence

Adjective

the downtown clientele of this bistro come to be seen, and the food is only an afterthought

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The result is a mix of old-school hotel bars, downtown Italian institutions and buzzy French bistros — the kinds of places where A-listers tend to turn up again and again. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026

The event will feature local artisans selling handmade, original goods while also encouraging patrons to support downtown small businesses, according to a news release. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

Noun

Rooms overlook downtown and the Big Sioux River. —Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 4 June 2026

From a parade of tall ships to a downtown block party to glimpse of some of our country’s iconic treasures under one roof, this is the time to celebrate the American Experiment. —Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for downtown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown
• knockdown

Kids Definition

downtown

1 of 2 adverb

down·​town ˌdau̇n-ˈtau̇n 

: to, toward, or in the main business district

downtown

2 of 2 adjective

-ˌtau̇n

: situated downtown