downhill

American  

[doun-hil, doun-hil] / ˈdaʊnˈhɪl, ˈdaʊnˌhɪl /

adverb

1. down the slope of a hill; downward.

2. into a worse or inferior condition.

   The business has been going downhill.

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adjective

1. going or tending downward on or as on a hill.

2. free of problems or obstacles; easy.

   After the initial setbacks on the project, it was downhill all the way.

3. of or relating to skiing downhill.

noun

1. a timed ski race on a steep slope in which competitors take the most direct route to the finish line following a course with relatively few turns and attaining very high speeds.

downhill British  

/ ˈdaʊnˈhɪl /

adjective

1. going or sloping down

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adverb

1. towards the bottom of a hill; downwards

2. informal to decline; deteriorate

noun

1. the downward slope of a hill; descent

2. a competitive event in which skiers are timed in a downhill run

Etymology

Origin of downhill

First recorded in 1585–95; down ¹ + hill

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

downhill

And then it’s been kind of going downhill and I feel like people pay these taxes for no services is what it gets down to,” he told Fox News.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026

A 2024 BMW M3 was eastbound on the two-lane highway that slopes downhill when the driver lost control, veering off-road and down a steep embankment, the CHP said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

"Pakistan was very open in public in embracing its role as a mediator which certainly subjected it to certain risks, such as being viewed as the fall guy if things went downhill," Kugelman said.

From Barron's ● Jun. 16, 2026

Kopke, who came from Munich to retain his title in the men's downhill race, said the conditions were "optimal" this year.

From BBC ● May 25, 2026

They were still walking downhill, and the ground was becoming wetter underfoot.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Related Words

• falling