# descend

/dɪˈsɛnd/ (US) · /dɪsˈɛnd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/descend
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to move down

verb · CEFR B2

to go or come down from a higher place to a lower one.

For teachers: to move downwards from a higher to a lower level. Often used in formal or technical contexts where 'go down' is too informal.

- The hikers began to descend the mountain as the sun started to set.
- The aircraft began to descend toward the runway, its engines humming at a lower pitch as it lost altitude.

Usage: Can be used transitively (descend the stairs) or intransitively (the lift descended).

### 2. family lineage

verb · CEFR B2

to come from a particular ancestor or family in the past.

For teachers: to have a specific person or group as an ancestor. Usually used in the passive form 'be descended from'.

- Many people in this village are descended from the original settlers.
- Genetic evidence suggests that the modern species is descended from a small population that survived the last ice age.

### 3. to worsen

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to change into a worse or less organized state.

For teachers: to pass into a lower or less desirable state or condition, often implying a loss of control or dignity.

- The peaceful protest quickly descended into a violent riot.
- The meeting descended into chaos as several board members began shouting over one another regarding the budget cuts.

Usage: Typically used with the preposition 'into'.

### 4. to slope down

verb · CEFR B2

to point or lead downwards.

For teachers: to extend or slope in a downward direction.

- The road descends sharply toward the coast after you pass the forest.
- The garden is arranged in terraces that descend toward the riverbank, providing a panoramic view of the valley.

### 5. to arrive suddenly

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to arrive suddenly and in large numbers, often when not wanted.

For teachers: to make a sudden attack or visit, typically in large numbers. Often implies an overwhelming or intrusive arrival.

- Hundreds of reporters descended on the small town after the news broke.
- As soon as the celebrity stepped out of the car, a swarm of photographers descended upon her, flashing their cameras incessantly.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.

## Examples

- The hikers began to descend the mountain before sunset.
- The flight attendants asked everyone to stay seated as the aircraft began to descend toward the airport.
- As the sun began to set, a thick, grey mist started to descend over the valley, obscuring the path and forcing the travelers to halt their journey.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.