Word
downwards
Phoneticsdown·wards, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdaʊnwɝdz/
UK/dˈaʊnwədz/
Adverb of place
Definition
adv. toward a lower place or level. You use it to describe movement or a change toward the ground or a smaller number.
adv. toward a lower physical position, level, or value. Often used to describe trends in data or physical movement toward the earth.
Examples
“The path leads downwards toward the river.”
“The stock market trended downwards throughout the afternoon as investors reacted to the news.”
“As the temperature dropped, the heavy mist began to drift downwards, eventually settling in the valley and obscuring the small village from view.”
Examples
simple
“The path leads downwards toward the river.”
contextual
“The stock market trended downwards throughout the afternoon as investors reacted to the news.”
complex
“As the temperature dropped, the heavy mist began to drift downwards, eventually settling in the valley and obscuring the small village from view.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “downwards” in context.
Verb
01. face downwards
“Please place the cards face downwards on the table so no one can see them.”
verb + adv
02. look downwards
“She looked downwards to hide her embarrassment during the interview.”
verb + adv
03. point downwards
“The signpost was broken and pointed downwards toward the muddy ground.”
verb + adv
04. slide downwards
“The loose rocks started to slide downwards as we climbed the steep hill.”
verb + adv
05. slope downwards
“The garden slopes downwards towards the river at the back of the house.”
verb + adv
06. spiral downwards
“The company's stock price began to spiral downwards after the scandal was revealed.”
verb + adv
Usage
Typically functions as an adverb of direction; in British English, 'downwards' is common, whereas American English often prefers 'downward'.
Real-World Examples
“It seemed to indicate – wrongly – that the butterfly was moving downwards.” “Will supporters be looking upwards rather than downwards?” Etymology
From down + -wards.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/downwards