downward

American  

[doun-werd] / ˈdaʊn wərd /

adverb

1. Also downwards. from a higher to a lower place or condition.

2. down from a source or beginning.

   As the river flows downward, it widens.

3. from a past time, predecessor, or ancestor.

   The estate was handed downward from generation to generation.

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adjective

1. moving or tending to a lower place or condition.

2. descending from a source or beginning.

downward British  

/ ˈdaʊnwəd /

adjective

1. descending from a higher to a lower level, condition, position, etc

2. descending from a beginning

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adverb

1. a variant of downwards

Other Word Forms

• downwardly adverb
• downwardness noun

Etymology

Origin of downward

1150–1200; Middle English dounward, aphetic variant of adounward, Old English adūnweard. See down ¹, -ward

Example Sentences

Banking and financial services have also faced downward pressure as the conflict heightens global economic uncertainty, and the effects of rising fuel prices filter through the economy at all levels.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

CDs can be a good choice for conservative money management, but interest rates are trending downward — you can currently find rates of up to 4.2%.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Gold futures resumed their downward momentum after briefly pausing to climb over $4,500 a troy ounce Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The downward trend extends the loss of 42,000 jobs in L.A. between 2022 and 2024, the continued suffering of local sound stages and the offshoring of productions internationally.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

Foils swishing downward, two fencers salute one another.

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

• descending
• downwards