English Reference
verb · noun

downs

v. · n.
US /ˈdaʊnz/ UK /dˈaʊnz/ downs

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    v.to drink or eat something very fast, often in one go.

    v.to consume a drink or food item rapidly, often in a single continuous action.

    Simple

    He downs a large glass of water every morning as soon as he wakes up.

    In context

    The athlete habitually downs a protein shake immediately following his training session to aid muscle recovery.

    sip
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to knock someone or something to the ground.

    v.to cause someone or something to fall to the ground, often through force or a shot.

    Simple

    The hunter downs the deer with a single shot from his rifle.

    In context

    The defender successfully downs the striker just outside the penalty area, resulting in a crucial free kick.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced British English

    n.areas of high, rolling land with grass and no trees, especially in southern England.

    n.upland areas of open, undulating chalk countryside, typically used for grazing.

    Simple

    We spent the weekend hiking across the green downs of Sussex.

    In context

    The South Downs provide a dramatic landscape of rolling hills that stretch across the southern coast of England.

    hillsuplandsmoorland
  4. 04 B1 Intermediate

    n.the bad or unhappy times in a person's life.

    n.periods of misfortune, depression, or failure, usually paired with 'ups'.

    Simple

    Every marriage has its ups and downs over the years.

    In context

    Despite the various ups and downs of the fiscal year, the company managed to remain profitable.

    ups

Craig, now 40, says porn became a "tool to turn to for every one of life's ups and downs".

BBC News· 8 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Frequent
Updated