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downshift
[ doun-shift ]
/ ˈdaʊnˌʃɪft /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
to shift (an automotive transmission or vehicle) into a lower gear.
noun
an act or instance of downshifting.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Words nearby downshift
downrigger, downright, downriver, downs, downscale, downshift, downshifting, downside, downsize, downsizing, downslide
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use downshift in a sentence
With fewer gears, these downshifts can be jarring in other vehicles.
Backing up a trailer is really hard, but this $100,000 SUV offers a new solution|Dan Carney|November 19, 2020|Popular-ScienceOn schools: keep innovating, increase accountability, but downshift the emphasis on test scores.
Jack Hidary Waits to Make His Push in New York City Mayoral Race|David Freedlander|August 14, 2013|DAILY BEASTHoward Kurtz on the downshift—and how Cain is defying political gravity.
And this downshift in career ambitions is just as true for the top dogs among us.