downstairs

1 of 3

adverb

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsterz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
: 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
Fred moves the suitcases downstairs, placing them right where the murder scene takes place. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 May 2025 Trevor offers Sas use of his room, where Sas tries Thor’s tossing move a little too aggressively and throws Joan through wall to the ground downstairs. Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 1 May 2025
Adjective
The family had a late pizza dinner before heading to bed, with Molly’s parents going to sleep in the downstairs guest bedroom, ABC News reported. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 10 May 2025 This would have flooded the downstairs neighbor with warm fuzzies. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
Five years after my father passed, my mom accepted an offer to move into the downstairs apartment of her childhood best friend’s house in leafy, lovely Presidio Heights. David Hochman, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 Reimagining the downstairs was an easier lift that Ryann tackled with paint plus new flooring and light fixtures. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 17 May 2025 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 28 May. 2025.

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
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