downhill

[doun-hil, doun-hil]

adverb

1. down the slope of a hill; downward.

2. into a worse or inferior condition.

   The business has been going downhill.

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

/ ˈdaʊnˈhɪl /

adjective

1. going or sloping down

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of downhill¹

First recorded in 1585–95; down ¹ + hill

Example Sentences

As the ice keeps vaporizing, it gradually slides downhill, carving a long, deep trench with ridges on either side.

Read more on Science Daily

In several high-lying inhabited areas, however, the persistent rains washed away mountain sides that spilled downhill as landslides.

Read more on Barron's

However by the summer she noticed things were "not quite right" with emails to tutors going unanswered and Trust Pilot reviews of the service "going downhill".

Read more on BBC

According to an eyewitness, Prefontaine was driving downhill on a two-lane road when he swerved to avoid another car, slammed against an embankment and flipped his vehicle.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The target is a subset of long-distance races that begin high in the mountains and pitch participants downhill.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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