Word
Definitions
01to transfer data to a device
A2 · Elementary Computing
v. to copy a file, program, or information from the internet or a larger computer onto your phone or computer.
v. to transfer data from a remote system, such as a server or the internet, to a local device. Transitive — requires a direct object.
日本語:ダウンロードする※
“You can download the app for free from the store.”
“The software update will download automatically once the device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.”
Pitfall
I downloaded the app to my phone.
I downloaded the app onto my phone.
While 'to' is common, 'onto' or 'on' more accurately describes the destination of the file transfer.
Antonyms
02a transferred file
A2 · Elementary Countable noun Computing
n. a file or program that has been moved onto your computer.
n. a file or piece of data that has been or is intended to be transferred from a remote system.
日本語:ダウンロード※
“Check your downloads folder to find the document you just saved.”
“The website provides a free download of the manual in several different languages.”
03to transfer responsibility
C1 · Advanced Dialect · Formal
v. to move a job or cost from a high level of government to a lower one.
v. to transfer jurisdiction, responsibility, or costs of a government service to a lower level of government or a different agency.
“The province decided to download the cost of road repairs to the local cities.”
“Municipal leaders argued that the federal government was downloading social service costs without providing the necessary tax revenue to cover them.”
Usage
Primarily used in Canadian political contexts.
Teaching tip
This sense is specific to Canadian English; in other regions, 'delegate' or 'devolve' is preferred.
Antonyms
Etymology
From down- + load. Verbal form first appears c. 1962 in the Wichita Falls (Texas) Times. Nominal form first appears c. 1977 in Scientific American.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/download
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR