Dictionary
1downward
adverb down·ward \ˈdau̇n-wərd\
: from a higher place or level to a lower place or level
: toward the ground, floor, etc. : not up
: toward people with less power, money, etc.
Full Definition of DOWNWARD
1
a : from a higher to a lower place b : toward a direction that is the opposite of up
2
: from a higher to a lower condition
3
a : from an earlier time b : from an ancestor or predecessor
See downward defined for English-language learners
See downward defined for kids
Variants of DOWNWARD
down·ward or down·wards \-wərdz\
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First Known Use of DOWNWARD
13th century
2downward
adjective
: moving or going from a higher place or level to a lower place or level
: moving or going toward the ground, floor, etc.
: changing to a smaller amount or lower number
Full Definition of DOWNWARD
1
: moving or extending downward
2
: descending from a head, origin, or source
— down·ward·ly adverb
— down·ward·ness noun
See downward defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DOWNWARD
circa 1552
DOWNWARDS Defined for Kids
1downward
adverb down·ward \ˈdau̇n-wərd\
Definition of DOWNWARD for Kids
: from a higher place, amount, or level to a lower one <The company's sales continue to go downward.> <Still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood. — Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol>
Variants of DOWNWARD
down·ward or down·wards \-wərdz\
2downward
adjective
Definition of DOWNWARD for Kids
: going or moving from a higher place, amount, or level to a lower one <a downward slope>
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