trade down

verb

traded down; trading down; trades down

intransitive verb

1

: to trade something in (such as an automobile) for something less expensive or valuable of its kind

2

: to stock or purchase lower-priced items : economize

Examples of trade down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As many Americans trade down because of inflation, Walmart has gained market share, particularly among households with annual income above $100,000. —Anne D'innocenzio, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026

As the economy improved and higher-income shoppers stopped trading down, Dollar Tree focused on the low end. —Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

Perhaps general manager Brett Veach decides to trade down. —Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026

Two people who have spoken to the new Dolphins management said maximizing and collecting draft picks will be a priority for Sullivan and cautioned us not to be surprised if the team trades down in any of the early rounds to accumulate more picks. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for trade down

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown