Words / B2

DOWNW-uh-d/ˈdaʊnwəd/

Downward means moving or pointing towards a lower place or level; downwards is the usual British adverb: a downward trend; downwards. Downhill stresses a slope; decline is the noun/verb twin. A downward trend still needs the years and the units. Mix-up: downward vs forward; downward as a brand; do not write downward for a flat line.

Meaning

Moving or pointing towards a lower place or level (also downwards as an adverb).

Examples

• “A downward trend still needs the years and the units, the graph paper said.”
• “Force the lever downward in the practical if the diagram says so, which is the direction sense.”

Good to know

a downward trend / spiral / force; downwards (adverb, UK). Close: downhill / declining. Opposite: upward. Maths, science, and economics. Towards a lower level — quote the years and the units.

Near in meaning

declining, descending, falling

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