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 food hall, which is located downstairs, was refurbished last year and has a market-style setup, fresh pizza on offer and a large selection of premium food and wine. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

Making matters worse, a mysterious illness is now airborne, forcing people like the man upstairs (Lee Kang-sheng) and the woman downstairs (Yang Kuei-mei) to remain sheltered in place at home. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 July 2026

Adjective

The upstairs rooms became residences, while downstairs spaces were rented to small businesses. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Its space-saving layout fits both upstairs and downstairs bedrooms, plus a surprisingly spacious living area, into a towable frame. — Adam Williams july 06, New Atlas, 6 July 2026

Noun

Driving purpose beyond aesthetics, there’s one in mostly each of the six bedrooms as well as throughout downstairs. — Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Their children, Sara and Jackie, move into the flat downstairs. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 13 July 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