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

But while that conversation was happening upstairs, Brian was downstairs making a fool of her yet again. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 June 2026

It's located downstairs and includes a double bed and some storage, with ample headroom to stand upright. — New Atlas, 15 June 2026

Adjective

For those performances, not only did an excitedly tireless Conlon spend an hour before performances in the talks, but afterward, despite operas that lasted five hours or more, he could be found behind the bar at Kendell’s, the theater’s downstairs brasserie, serving drinks. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

Waterfront offers everything from bar bites in its downstairs lounge to fine dining creations on its second-level patio. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 June 2026

Noun

The gradually emergent upstairs-downstairs theme was explored with more sophistication on The White Lotus. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026

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