# downside

/ˈdaʊnˌsaɪd/ (US) · /dˈaʊnsaɪd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a disadvantage

noun · CEFR B1

the negative part or disadvantage of something.

For teachers: a disadvantageous aspect of a situation that is otherwise positive or advantageous.

- The new job pays very well, but the downside is the long commute.
- While the merger offers significant market expansion, the potential downside involves a complex integration of two very different corporate cultures.

### 2. financial decline

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a drop in the price of something, like company shares.

For teachers: a downward trend or potential for decline, particularly regarding the market price of securities or commodities.

- Investors are worried about the downside if the housing market slows down.
- Analysts suggested that the stock had limited downside at its current valuation, given the strong cash reserves of the parent company.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun in financial analysis.

## Examples

- The main downside is the high cost.
- The job offers great pay, but the long commute is a significant downside.
- While remote work offers flexibility, the lack of spontaneous collaboration remains a notable downside for many creative teams.

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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.