downbeat
Americannoun
-
the downward stroke of a conductor's arm or baton indicating the first or accented beat of a measure.
-
the first beat of a measure.
adjective
noun
adjective
-
informal depressed; gloomy
-
informal relaxed; unemphatic
Etymology
Origin of downbeat
Vocabulary lists containing downbeat
Music - Middle School
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Music - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jaret Seiberg, an analyst and managing director at TD Cowen’s Washington Research Group, also has been downbeat on the prospects for the legislation, which the crypto industry has been clamoring for.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
Although near-term growth expectations are downbeat, Nike’s fortunes appear to be turning.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
In explaining why its downbeat scenarios in April didn’t come to pass, the IMF pointed to unexpected flexibility in energy markets that prevented a bigger price crunch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
But Hamilton's downbeat remarks are a reflection of not only qualifying but his experience in the sprint.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
All the notes before the first strong downbeat of any phrase are the pickup notes to that phrase.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
