downward
downward Lexical Profile
downward Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Moving, directed, or sloping toward a lower physical position or level.
"The hikers carefully navigated the steep downward slope of the mountain trail."
Moving or tending toward a lower amount, value, rank, or worse condition.
"Economists noted a steady downward trend in consumer spending over the past quarter."
• adverb
Toward a lower physical place, point, or level.
"She glanced downward to make sure her shoelaces were tied before starting the race."
Toward a lower value, amount, rank, or chronological point.
"The company revised its annual revenue projections downward after a slow summer season."
Word Nuance & Usage
As an adjective, 'downward' is always spelled without a final '-s' (e.g., 'a downward trend'). As an adverb, both 'downward' and 'downwards' are standard, with 'downward' preferred in American English and 'downwards' more common in British English.
• Rhymes for downward
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'dūneweard', formed from 'dūne' (down, originally 'of dūne', meaning 'off the hill') and the directional suffix '-weard' (toward).