downward

[doun-werd]

adverb

1. Also downwards. from a higher to a lower place or condition.

2. down from a source or beginning.

   As the river flows downward, it widens.

3. from a past time, predecessor, or ancestor.

   The estate was handed downward from generation to generation.

adjective

1. moving or tending to a lower place or condition.

2. descending from a source or beginning.

downward

/ ˈdaʊnwəd /

adjective

1. descending from a higher to a lower level, condition, position, etc

2. descending from a beginning

adverb

1. a variant of downwards

Other Word Forms

• downwardly adverb
• downwardness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of downward¹

1150–1200; Middle English dounward, aphetic variant of adounward, Old English adūnweard. See down ¹, -ward

Example Sentences

Although it was also noted there was a downward trend for the sale of these products before the legislation was introduced and high rates of inflation could also have had an impact.

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"She went into a massive downward spiral. I tried to get her involved in many different support networks, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, other avenues, but they didn't really work."

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Raymond Gormley, head of energy policy at the Consumer Council, said tariff decreases are "very welcome news as they indicate a downward trend in wholesale energy prices".

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She said that savers had seen a downward trend in returns during the time when the Bank has been lowering the Bank rate.

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After the latest cut, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey said that although rates remained on a downward path, future cuts would be made gradually and carefully.

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Related Words

• descending www.thesaurus.com
• downwards