downstairs

[doun-stairz, doun-stairz]

adverb

1. down the stairs.

2. to or on a lower floor.

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

/ ˈdaʊnˈstɛəz /

adverb

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

noun

1. 1. a lower or ground floor

   2. ( as modifier )

      a downstairs room

2. informal,  the servants of a household collectively Compare upstairs

Word History and Origins

Origin of downstairs¹

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

Example Sentences

“We go downstairs to the basement and admire all of their cooking,” she added.

Read more on Salon

That is until Maia and Alani ignore a sign to stay downstairs and find him hiding out in his bedroom watching YouTube videos on a big TV; the latter freaks out and leaves the room.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I had to come downstairs late at night in my pajamas to a kitchen filled with six people and traipse through them,” Glusac, a writer, said.

Read more on MarketWatch

When I moved into my first apartment, I was so worried about making noise that I gave my downstairs neighbors my number to call if I was ever too loud.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

MA’S voice floats up from downstairs, along with the scents of cinnamon and sugar.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• basement 
• canvas 
• carpet 
• deck 
• flooring 
• ground 
• mat 
• rug 
• stage