downside

American  

[doun-sahyd] / ˈdaʊnˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the lower side or part.

2. a downward trend, especially in stock prices.

3. a discouraging or negative aspect.

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adjective

1. of or involving a decline, especially in stock prices.

   The downside risk on this stock is considered far greater than the potential for gain.

downside British  

/ ˈdaʊnˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the disadvantageous aspect of a situation

   the downside of twentieth-century living

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Etymology

Origin of downside

First recorded in 1675–85; down ¹ + side ¹

Example Sentences

“A surging downside risk could come from the Mexican peso’s strength in recent weeks, which will likely help to ease some pressure from tradable goods prices,” the bank’s economists said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The possible downsides to a wrong move are commensurately high.”

From The Wall Street Journal

In our final conversation for the documentary, I asked Farage what the downside of the party's recent success had been.

From BBC

A potential downside of his people skills, some who have worked with him said, is that D’Amaro likes to be liked and can avoid taking unpopular stands.

From The Wall Street Journal

The downside was that you had to hide a six-pack of batteries with the transmitter and replace them every week.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disadvantage
• drawback
• flaw
• inconvenience