English Reference
adverb · preposition · adjective · verb · noun

down

adv. · prep. · adj. · v. · n.
US /ˈdaʊn/ UK /dˈaʊn/ down

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    adv.moving from a higher place to a lower one.

    adv.indicating movement or position from a higher to a lower level or towards the ground.

    Simple

    The cat jumped down from the high fence into the garden.

    In context

    The climbers began their descent, carefully navigating the rocky path down to the base camp before the storm arrived.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate Computing

    adv.when a computer or machine stops working.

    adv.referring to a state of non-operation or temporary failure, especially of a computer system or network.

    Simple

    The website is down for maintenance until tomorrow morning.

    In context

    The entire internal network went down after the power surge, leaving the staff unable to access the central database for several hours.

  3. 03 A1 Beginner

    prep.moving along or further along a road, river, or path.

    prep.indicating movement along the course of a road, path, or river, not necessarily involving a change in elevation.

    Simple

    We took a long walk down the street to look at the shop windows.

    In context

    They drove down the coast for three hours, stopping occasionally to admire the view of the cliffs and the ocean.

  4. 04 A2 Elementary Informal

    adj.feeling sad, depressed, or without hope.

    adj.experiencing a state of low spirits, sadness, or clinical depression.

    Simple

    He has been feeling a bit down since his best friend moved away.

    In context

    She felt remarkably down after the project was cancelled, despite having several other successful initiatives already in progress.

  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate SlangAmerican English

    adj.willing to do something or agreeing with an idea.

    adj.expressing willingness, agreement, or enthusiasm for a proposed activity or concept.

    Simple

    If you guys are going to the cinema tonight, I am totally down.

    In context

    Most of the team members were down for a weekend retreat, provided the location was within a reasonable driving distance.

  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    v.to drink something very fast, often finishing the whole glass at once.

    v.to consume a liquid rapidly, typically in a single continuous action.

    Simple

    He downed the glass of water in one go after his long run.

    In context

    The exhausted marathon runner downed a litre of electrolyte solution before even attempting to speak to the waiting journalists.

    sip
  7. 07 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.the very soft, light feathers of young birds, used to fill warm jackets and pillows.

    n.the layer of fine, soft feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers of birds, valued for its thermal insulation properties.

    Simple

    This winter coat is filled with goose down to keep you warm.

    In context

    The high-end sleeping bag utilised ethically sourced down to ensure maximum warmth-to-weight ratio for alpine expeditions.

  8. 08 C1 Advanced British English

    n.open, grassy hills, especially in the south of England.

    n.an area of open, undulating upland or chalk hills, typically used for grazing.

    Simple

    We spent the afternoon hiking across the green downs.

    In context

    The South Downs provide a stunning landscape of rolling chalk hills that have inspired poets and painters for centuries.

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated