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

The overall warmth of the finished basement keeps pulling the family downstairs. —Jody Garlock, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026

Gray rushed downstairs, George said, trying to warn those nearby. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026

Adjective

The West Main occupies the three-story Savings & Trust Bank built in 1906, with six studios and suites, full kitchens, and a downstairs restaurant with bourbon and whiskey cocktails. —Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026

And when hunger strikes, Rosetta Bakery—one of CDMX’s most beloved cafés—is just downstairs. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 29 May 2026

Noun

Let the schmuck tumble downstairs with a happy clash of cymbals. —Christian Wiman, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

There’s a snacks menu with bites from Somaek, plus a dedicated sushi bar downstairs. —Tanya Edwards, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026

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

Rhymes for downstairs

• affaires
• affairs
• armchairs
• compares
• crosshairs
• declares
• despairs
• forbears
• forebears
• housewares
• impairs
• nightmares

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 singular or plural noun

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsta(ə)rz 

-ˈste(ə)rz, 

-ˌsta(ə)rz, 

-ˌste(ə)rz

: the lower floor of a building