downwards
/'daunwədz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- In a direction from a higher to a lower level or position: Describes movement or orientation toward a physically lower place.
- Toward a lower amount, degree, or condition: Describes a decrease or decline in a non-physical sense, such as in value, status, or intensity.
- From an earlier to a later point in time or order: Describes a sequence moving forward in time or through generations.
Usage Examples
- Adverb (Physical Movement):
- The ball rolled downwards along the slope.
- She pointed downwards towards the basement door.
- Adverb (Decrease or Decline):
- The company's profits have been trending downwards this quarter.
- Adjust the volume control downwards for quieter sound.
- Adverb (Sequence in Time/Order):
- The rule applies to managers and downwards.
- From the 19th century downwards, technology advanced rapidly.
Advanced Usage
- "downwards of": An informal expression meaning "more than" a specified number or amount.
- The project attracted downwards of a thousand participants.
- Used metaphorically to describe a worsening state:
- After the scandal, his career spiraled downwards.
Variants and Related Words
- Downward (Adjective): Moving or leading toward a lower level.
- The downward slope of the hill.
- A downward trend in sales.
- Down (Adverb, Preposition, Adjective, Noun, Verb): A more common and versatile word with similar core meanings related to lower position or movement. "Downwards" is often used interchangeably with "down" as an adverb, though "downwards" can sound slightly more formal or directional.
Synonyms
- Down: To or toward a lower place or position.
- Downward (as an adverb, less common): In a downward direction.
- Descending: Moving or sloping downward.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Downwards" itself is not typically used to form phrasal verbs. The related word "down" is used instead.) - Look down on: To regard someone with a feeling of superiority. - He looks down on people who didn't go to college. - Turn down: To refuse an offer or request; to reduce volume or intensity. - She had to turn down the job offer.
Related Idioms
- On a downward spiral: In a continuously worsening situation.
- After losing his job, his life went into a downward spiral.
- Head downwards/towards: To be moving in the direction of (a usually negative outcome).
- The negotiations are heading downwards towards a complete breakdown.
Adverb
- spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position
- don't fall down
- rode the lift up and skied down
- prices plunged downward