downhill

1 of 3

adverb

down·​hill ˌdau̇n-ˈhil 

1

: toward the bottom of a hill

2

: toward a worsened or inferior state or level

—used especially in the phrase go downhill

downhill

2 of 3

noun

down·​hill ˈdau̇n-ˌhil 

1

: a descending slope

2

a

: the sport of skiing on downhill trails

—often used attributively

b

: a skiing race against time down a trail

finished second in the downhill

downhill

3 of 3

adjective

down·​hill ˈdau̇n-ˌhil 

1

: not difficult : easy

after that problem the rest was downhill

2

: sloping downhill

3

: closer to the bottom of an incline

your downhill ski

4

: progressively worse

5

American football : relating to, employing, or being a style of running in which a ballcarrier moves powerfully forward into the line of scrimmage and down the field toward the opponent's end zone without a lot of movement toward the sidelines to avoid tacklers

a downhill runner

The Tigers use their tight ends as blockers. They're more suited to an assertive, downhill running game now.

—Bernie Miklasz

Synonyms of downhill

Noun

• dip
• descent
• decline
• fall

Adjective

• easy
• smooth
• simple
• cheap

Examples of downhill in a Sentence

Adverb

It is easier to ride a bike downhill than uphill.

Her career is heading downhill.

After his divorce, he went downhill fast.

The service has gone downhill under the new owner.

Noun

most runners will have their best splits on the downhills

Adjective

The second half of the hike is mostly downhill.

The worst part is over. It's all downhill from here.

The first part of the movie was pretty good, but after that it was all downhill.

His career has been all downhill in recent years.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

However, Macuga, who suffered a torn ACL in late November, will not be able to compete at this year’s Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, where she had been considered a medal hopeful in downhill and super-G. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026

The Tennessee Pass Nordic Center near Leadville, adjacent the Ski Cooper downhill area, is doing well due to its location and elevation of 10,400 feet. —John Meyer, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026

Noun

Though there are a few downhill ski runs in the Appenzell region, the winter activity here is based around cross-country endeavors, and the Gonten high valley is one of the top spots. —Jackie Caradonio, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2026

And in the downhill portion, skins are shed from underneath before athletes make a tricky descent on skis. —Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 19 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Sam, 24, is a ski jumper; Lauren, 23, is a downhill skier; and Alli, 22, competes in moguls. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026

McDaniels' opening play-call was a downhill run for six yards out of 22 personnel (two tight ends, two backs), and the Patriots' next runs from that grouping covered five and then six yards. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for downhill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill
• gristmill

Kids Definition

downhill

1 of 3 adverb

down·​hill ˌdau̇n-ˈhil 

1

: toward the bottom of a hill

sleds speeding downhill

2

: toward a worsened or lower state or level

her health went downhill quickly

downhill

2 of 3 adjective

down·​hill ˈdau̇n-ˌhil 

: sloping downhill

downhill

3 of 3 noun

down·​hill -ˌhil 

1

: the sport of skiing on downhill trails

downhill skiing

2

: a skiing race against time down a trail

finished second in the downhill