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 upstairs couples’ section and the more open downstairs offer different experiences. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Oct. 2026

The eat-in kitchen has checked floors, a L'Atelier Paris gas range and a butler's pantry with chef's appliances; downstairs is a theater. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 30 Sep. 2026

Adjective

As mentioned, this tiny house boasts a downstairs bedroom, which is unusual for such a small tiny house of this style. — New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026

People dressed in black trousers and white shirts took orders, and the fitting rooms were downstairs. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

There's also hot water and a microwave in the lobby, mini fridges in each room, and cocktails at The Crocodile downstairs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

My home office is on the second floor of the house, which leaves him the entire downstairs to enjoy without disrupting me during work hours. — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 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