ENGLISH
REFERENCE

downstairs

adv. · adj. · n.
US //ˈdaʊnˈstɛɹz// down·stairs
  1. 1 towards a lower floor (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    to or on a lower floor of a building.

    to or on a lower floor of a building, typically the ground floor.

    Example

    I heard a strange noise, so I went downstairs to check the kitchen.

    Example

    The children ran downstairs as soon as they smelled the aroma of fresh coffee and breakfast coming from the kitchen.

  2. 2 located on a lower floor (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    describes something that is on a lower floor.

    located on a lower floor of a building; used attributively before a noun.

    Example

    The downstairs bathroom is much smaller than the one in our bedroom.

    Example

    The downstairs windows were fitted with reinforced glass to provide extra security against potential intruders.

    • lower level
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  1. 3 the lower floor (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the entire lower floor or ground floor of a house.

    the lower floor or floors of a building, especially a residential house.

    Example

    The whole downstairs was flooded after the pipe burst in the night.

    Example

    The renovation focused entirely on the downstairs, transforming several small rooms into a single open-plan living space.

    • ground floor
  2. 4 genitalia (n.)
    C1 Advanced Humorous Slang Informal

    a polite or funny way to talk about a person's private parts.

    a euphemistic reference to the human genitalia.

    Example

    He took a painful hit downstairs during the football match.

    Example

    The comedian made several crude jokes about his 'downstairs' that left half the audience laughing and the other half embarrassed.

    Usage

    Usually used with 'the' or a possessive pronoun like 'my' or 'his'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a common euphemism used to avoid medical or vulgar terms; it is informal and often intended to be funny.

    • private parts
Origin

From down- + stair + -s.

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