downstairs

American  

[doun-stairz, doun-stairz] / ˈdaʊnˈstɛərz, ˈdaʊnˌstɛərz /

adverb

1. down the stairs.

2. to or on a lower floor.

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adjective

1. Also downstair pertaining to or situated on a lower floor, especially the ground floor.

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the lower floor or floors of a building.

   The downstairs is being painted.

2. the stairway designated for use by people descending.

   Don't try to go up the downstairs.

downstairs British  

/ ˈdaʊnˈstɛəz /

adverb

1. down the stairs; to or on a lower floor

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noun

1. 1. a lower or ground floor

   2. ( as modifier )

      a downstairs room

2. informal the servants of a household collectively Compare upstairs

Etymology

Origin of downstairs

First recorded in 1590–1600; down ¹ + stair + -s ³

Explanation

Something that's downstairs is located below you, down at least one flight of stairs on a lower floor. Your downstairs bathroom is the one on the first floor of your house. If your baseball breaks a neighbor's downstairs window, it means you hit the ball low, and when your friend says you can stay in his downstairs bedroom, you'll be sleeping on the lowest floor of his house. Downstairs is also an adverb, so you can run downstairs or trip and fall downstairs. Occasionally people also use it as a noun: "The downstairs is a mess, but we painted all of the rooms upstairs."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

downstairs

She was downstairs in operations when she heard a loud noise.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

They are the diametrical opposites of Angela and Joe: calm and free, while their downstairs neighbors are neurotic and toxically codependent.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

Whoever is up earliest, usually John Bowdler, picks the outfit and the other brother will match it before they make their way downstairs to have a coffee with some toast.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

I had a friend build a wall, we painted it downstairs and then brought it in and had it in the gallery with the light coming in through the windows.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

“There’s someone downstairs says they need to see you immediately,” came the landlord’s sleepy voice.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

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