downward

American  

[doun-werd] / ˈdaʊn wərd /

adverb

1. Also downwards. from a higher to a lower place or condition.

2. down from a source or beginning.

   As the river flows downward, it widens.

3. from a past time, predecessor, or ancestor.

   The estate was handed downward from generation to generation.

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adjective

1. moving or tending to a lower place or condition.

2. descending from a source or beginning.

downward British  

/ ˈdaʊnwəd /

adjective

1. descending from a higher to a lower level, condition, position, etc

2. descending from a beginning

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adverb

1. a variant of downwards

Other Word Forms

• downwardly
  adverb
• downwardness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of downward

1150–1200; Middle English dounward, aphetic variant of adounward, Old English adūnweard. See down ¹, -ward

Example Sentences

Researchers examined changes in fitness, muscular strength, and endurance, all of which followed a similar downward trend over time.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2026

One possible factor in the downward slide, researchers say, is the rise of social media on smartphones and corresponding declines in recreational reading.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

“Asia is the main outlet for crude oil from the Middle East Gulf, and that’s predictably enough where the downward pressure on crude inventories has been most severe,” he said.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

“Our shoes are built differently than anything most people have worn before,” says Matthew Tran, Birchbury’s owner and founder, since the foot sits flat instead of angled downward like conventional dress shoes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Over time, the movement of the Pacific Plate pulls the North American Plate downward, like the bucket of a catapult that is being readied to fire.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

• descending
• downwards