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

Downhill ski racers are not running backs or point guards, however, and don’t make those same jolting lateral moves and therefore, experts say, are better able to compensate for a torn ACL.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2026

Downhill is the Grand Union Canal, once the industrial artery linking London and Birmingham.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Starring Redford as an obsessive skier competing in the Winter Olympics, "Downhill Racer" was described by critic Roger Ebert as "the best movie ever made about sports -- without really being about sports at all."

From Barron's • Oct. 21, 2025

In a statement, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said the algae had been observed on part of Magilligan, Downhill and Portstewart strands on Monday 22nd September 2025 during regular scheduled monitoring.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2025

Downhill, the train went faster and he couldn’t keep up.

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson

Related Words

• falling