down
A1All registers (core, extremely common word)
Definition
Meaning
In, toward, or at a lower position or level.
A multi-functional word used to indicate direction (downward), location (at a lower level), state (sad/unwell), completion (write down), reduction (cut down), and defeat (bring down).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions as adverb, preposition, adjective, verb, and noun. Its core spatial meaning is extended metaphorically to many domains (e.g., emotions, computing, sports, finance).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Some phrasal verbs like 'knock down' (UK) vs. 'tear down' (US) for demolishing a building. 'Down tools' (UK: to stop work in protest) is less common in US.
Connotations
Similar. In both, 'down' for emotions (feeling down) is common. 'Down' as a verb for drinking quickly is slightly more informal in both.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
V + down (phrasal verb: break down)V + NP + down (phrasal verb: put someone down)be + down + with (illness: He's down with flu)down + NP (preposition: down the street)NP + is + down (adjective: Sales are down)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Down in the dumps”
- “Down to earth”
- “Down the drain”
- “Down for the count”
- “Down and out”
- “Down the line”
- “Have a down on someone”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"Profits are down 10% this quarter." "We need to bring down costs."
Academic
"The results were broken down by demographic." "The theory was handed down through generations."
Everyday
"Can you turn the TV down?" "I'm just going down the shop."
Technical
"The server is down." "Download the file."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He downed his pint in one go.
- The fighter downed his opponent.
American English
- She downed the shot quickly.
- The storm downed several power lines.
adverb
British English
- Please sit down.
- Prices have gone down recently.
American English
- Calm down for a minute.
- We're headed down to Florida.
adjective
British English
- I'm feeling a bit down today.
- The down escalator isn't working.
American English
- The computer network is down.
- He was down by ten points in the game.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat jumped down from the wall.
- Please write your name down.
- She is sitting down.
- Could you turn the music down a little?
- He was down with the flu all week.
- Sales figures are down compared to last year.
- The negotiations broke down over the price.
- The system will be down for maintenance tonight.
- She downplayed her role in the project's success.
- The uprising was brutally put down by the regime.
- He's remarkably down-to-earth despite his fame.
- The report breaks down the data by age and gender.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a feather floating DOWN from the sky to the ground, representing all the meanings: direction, completion (lands), and lower state.
Conceptual Metaphor
LESS IS DOWN / SAD IS DOWN / CONTROL IS UP (e.g., 'He's down on his luck,' 'Turn down the offer').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not use 'down' for 'downtown' (центр города). 'Down the street' means 'along the street', not necessarily sloping. 'I'm down' can mean 'I agree/I'm in', not just 'I'm sad'. 'Write down' is 'записать', not just 'писать'.
Common Mistakes
- *I live down the city. (Use 'in' or 'downtown in')
- *He downed the book. (Only for drinks/food: 'down a drink')
- *Please down the volume. (Use 'turn down')
- Confusing 'down' with 'downstairs' for inside buildings.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'down' function as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly yes in its core spatial meaning, but not always in idiomatic uses (e.g., 'down for something' means willing, not opposite of 'up for something').
Yes, though less common. It can mean 'soft feathers' (e.g., a duvet filled with down) or in American football, one of four chances to advance the ball.
'Write down' specifically means to record or note information on paper or digitally to remember it. 'Write' is the general action.
Not exactly. 'Feeling down' is a common, temporary state of sadness or low mood. Clinical depression is a more serious, long-term medical condition.