downstairs

1 of 3

adverb

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsterz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
Synonyms of downstairsnext
: down the stairs : on or to a lower floor

downstairs

2 of 3

adjective

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˌsterz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
: situated on the main, lower, or ground floor of a building

downstairs

3 of 3

noun

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsterz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Can someone bring up a purse that was left downstairs? Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026 Or, head downstairs in their wine-cellar-style dining space a late night subterranean drink. Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The main entrance is on the street level, while the check-in desk is downstairs. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026 But, given you have to enter the Masonic Homes grounds and follow a few signs for Crave to arrive at the restaurant’s downstairs entrance, the eatery is perhaps even more of a sleeper hit among Louisville's long list of dining options. Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
An upstairs laundry saves a hike downstairs, where a rec room, wet bar, exercise room and more guest quarters await. Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026 In that way, Bridgerton has been different from other upstairs-downstairs shows like Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age, which have worked in political and social storylines about Irish independence, American spiritualism, and new versus old money. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for downstairs

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of downstairs was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downstairs. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

downstairs

1 of 3 adverb
down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsta(ə)rz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
-ˈste(ə)rz
: down the stairs : on or to a lower floor

downstairs

2 of 3 adjective
down·​stairs -ˌsta(ə)rz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
-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 How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
-ˈste(ə)rz
-ˌsta(ə)rz
-ˌste(ə)rz
: the lower floor of a building

More from Merriam-Webster on downstairs

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster