down
down Lexical Profile
down Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
Toward or in a lower place, position, or level.
"Please sit down and make yourself comfortable while you wait."
To a smaller amount, lower level, or less intense state.
"Could you please turn the volume down while I am on the phone?"
In or into writing or a permanent record.
"The journalist wrote down every word of the witness's testimony."
As an initial partial payment made at the time of purchase.
"They paid two thousand dollars down and financed the remainder of the vehicle."
• preposition
From a higher to a lower point of something.
"Tears rolled slowly down her cheeks as she read the letter."
Along the course or length of, or further along in direction.
"The public library is located just two blocks down the street."
• adjective
Directed or moving toward a lower place or position.
"Please take the down escalator to reach the baggage claim area."
Temporarily out of action, unavailable, or not functioning (especially of a computer system or network).
"The company server was down for three hours during scheduled maintenance."
Unhappy, dejected, or in low spirits.
"She has been feeling a bit down since her best friend moved to another city."
Willing to participate in, supporting, or enthusiastic about something (informal).
"Everyone in the study group is down for ordering pizza tonight."
• noun
The fine, soft underfeathers of birds (such as ducks or geese), or soft fine hair and fuzz on skin or plants.
"She bought a warm winter jacket insulated with natural goose down."
A period of misfortune, depression, or decline in fortune.
"Every long-term partnership experiences its share of ups and downs."
North American One of a series of four consecutive plays in American or Canadian football during which the offensive team must advance the ball at least ten yards.
"The quarterback completed a crucial pass on third down to keep the drive alive."
British Gently rolling, treeless chalk hills or upland pasture (usually used in the plural).
"They spent the afternoon hiking across the grassy downs overlooking the English Channel."
• verb
To consume or swallow quickly and completely (especially a drink).
"He downed a full glass of cold water immediately after finishing his morning run."
To knock, bring, or force to the ground.
"The severe overnight thunderstorm downed several old oak trees and power lines."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Down' represents a classic etymological convergence of three distinct roots: the directional adverb and preposition derive from an Old English phrase meaning 'off the hill,' the noun referring to soft plumage comes from Old Norse, and the geographical noun for rolling hills preserves the original Old English word for a hill.
• Rhymes for down
Word Origin & Etymology
The directional sense comes from Old English 'ofdune' (off the hill), from 'dun' (hill), while the sense of soft feathers was borrowed separately from Old Norse 'dunn'.