Word
downwind
Phoneticsdown·wind, stress on the second syllable
US/daʊnˈwɪnd/
UK/dˈaʊnwɪnd/
Definition
adj. in the direction the wind is blowing toward, away from the wind source. You are downwind if the wind carries smells or smoke toward you.
adj. situated or moving in the direction toward which the wind blows, away from the wind source. Frequently contrasted with upwind.
Examples
“We sit downwind so the smoke blows away from us.”
“We move downwind of the barbecue so the smoke does not blow in our faces.”
“The sailing crew positioned the boat downwind of the island to catch the steady breeze while staying sheltered from the choppy waves.”
Examples
simple
“We sit downwind so the smoke blows away from us.”
contextual
“We move downwind of the barbecue so the smoke does not blow in our faces.”
complex
“The sailing crew positioned the boat downwind of the island to catch the steady breeze while staying sheltered from the choppy waves.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “downwind” in context.
Verb
01. be downwind
“We were downwind of the barbecue and could smell everything.”
verb + adj
02. drift downwind
“Smoke drifted downwind and covered the neighbouring village.”
verb + adv
03. float downwind
“Leaves floated downwind across the lake.”
verb + adv
Adjective
04. downwind community
“Downwind communities were warned about poor air quality.”
adj + noun
05. downwind direction
“The wildfire spread rapidly in a downwind direction.”
adj + noun
06. downwind leg
“The pilot turned onto the downwind leg before landing.”
adj + noun
07. downwind side
“Stand on the downwind side to avoid the campfire smoke.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. downwind of factory
“Families downwind of factory complained about the smell.”
adj + prep + noun
09. downwind of fire
“Houses downwind of fire were evacuated quickly.”
adj + prep + noun
10. downwind of smoke
“Anyone downwind of smoke was told to wear a mask.”
adj + prep + noun
11. be directly downwind of smoke
“Our tent was directly downwind of the smoke.”
12. live downwind of the factory
“Thousands of people live downwind of the factory.”
Usage
Often paired with 'of' or 'from' to show the reference point ('downwind of the fire').
Real-World Examples
“Smoke and ash from the 2019-20 Australian wildfires triggered widespread algal blooms in the Southern Ocean thousands of miles downwind, a new study finds.” “If the wind farm is built upwind of another wind farm, it can reduce the downwind producer's energy output by as much as 10% or more, studies suggest.” Etymology
From down- + wind.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
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.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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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