downwards
gb/dˈaʊnwɚdz/ us/dˈaʊnwɚdz/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
relation
1
toward a lower position
moving to a lower place
Usage pattern:
[something] moves/falls/slides downwards
Common mistake:
Don’t use *downwards* as an adjective before a noun (use *downward* or *down*).
Synonyms
down (More common and shorter in everyday speech.)
|
downward (Often used in more formal or technical writing; also an adjective.)
Antonyms
upwards (Toward a higher position.)
|
up (More common everyday opposite.)
Collocations
fall downwards
|move downwards
|slide downwards
|flow downwards
|sink downwards
|drop downwards
|drift downwards
|pull downwards
|push downwards
|travel downwards
Themes
space
|movement
|daily_life
Examples
- The elevator suddenly jerked downwards.
- Rainwater flows downwards into the drain.
- The kite dipped downwards and then rose again.
Learner examples
- The ball rolled downwards.
- She walked downwards to the river.
adverb
B1
relation
2
facing toward the ground
toward the ground; not up
Usage pattern:
point/tilt/angle/look downwards
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *downwards* where *down* is more natural (e.g., 'look down' is more common than 'look downwards').
Synonyms
down (More idiomatic in many verb phrases (look down, point down).)
Antonyms
upwards (Directed toward the sky or top.)
Collocations
look downwards
|stare downwards
|glance downwards
|point downwards
|tilt downwards
|angle downwards
|face downwards
|direct downwards
|bend downwards
|hang downwards
Themes
space
|body_language
|instructions
Examples
- Point the flashlight downwards so you don’t shine it in anyone’s eyes.
- He kept his head downwards, avoiding eye contact.
- The camera is angled slightly downwards.
Learner examples
- Look downwards at your feet.
adverb
B1
process
3
becoming lower or less
decreasing; going lower
Usage pattern:
[level/price/temperature] moves/trends downwards
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse the adverb *downwards* with the adjective *downward* (e.g., 'a downward trend').
Synonyms
down (More common in speech (prices are down).)
|
downward (Often used in more formal reporting.)
Antonyms
upwards (Increasing; going higher.)
|
up (More common everyday opposite.)
Collocations
trend downwards
|move downwards
|go downwards
|shift downwards
|revised downwards
|adjusted downwards
|pressure downwards
|drift downwards
|spiral downwards
|slide downwards
Themes
numbers
|business
|weather
Examples
- House prices have been moving downwards for months.
- The temperature is heading downwards tonight.
- They revised the forecast downwards after the new data came in.
Learner examples
- The price is going downwards.
adverb
B2
relation
4
including smaller numbers or ages
and smaller/younger than that
Usage pattern:
[number/age/amount] downwards
Common mistake:
This use is common in British English; American English often prefers 'and under' or 'and below'.
Synonyms
and under (Very common alternative (especially AmE) with ages/limits.)
|
and below (Common in measurements and levels.)
Antonyms
upwards (That number and all higher/older ones.)
|
and over (Common opposite with ages/limits.)
Collocations
ages 12 downwards
|from 16 downwards
|sizes 8 downwards
|children 10 downwards
|prices $50 downwards
|weights 5 kg downwards
|students 18 downwards
Themes
numbers
|shopping
|education
Examples
- The activity is suitable for children aged 8 downwards.
- This size is available in 40 and downwards.
- The offer applies to purchases of $100 downwards.
Learner examples
- It is for ages 12 downwards.
adverb
formal
C1
relation
5
from a time onward
from that time until later
Usage pattern:
from [time/period] downwards
Common mistake:
This is much less common than 'from ... onwards' and can sound unnatural in everyday conversation.
Synonyms
onwards (More common and natural in modern usage ('from 2010 onwards').)
Antonyms
backwards (In the opposite direction in time or order.)
Collocations
from the 1990s downwards
|from the 18th century downwards
|from the early 2000s downwards
|from 2010 downwards
Themes
time
|history
|writing
Examples
- From the 1950s downwards, the area changed rapidly.
- The exhibition traces design from the 1920s downwards.
- Records from 2005 downwards are stored digitally.
Grammar
Dictionary form
downwards
IPA
GB/dˈaʊnwɚdz/
US/dˈaʊnwɚdz/
Syllables & stress
down - wards (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (down)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: downwards
- Plural: downwardses
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.