# downward

Pronunciation: US say "DOWN-wurd" /ˈdaʊnwɚd/; UK say "DOWN-wuhd" /ˈdaʊnwəd/

## Adverb

1. In the direction of a lower place or rank, or a smaller amount or value.
   - Simple: Toward a place, position, or amount that is lower.
   - _Smoke curled downward in the cold air outside the cabin._
   - _Her grades trended downward during the spring semester._
3. At a level or position that is lower than a given point of reference.
   - Simple: In a place or position that is lower.
   - _Downward, at the base of the cliff, the waves broke against black rocks._
   - _The orchard lies a hundred feet downward from the farmhouse._
5. Toward the south; in a southerly direction.
   - Simple: Toward the south, like going down a map.
   - _After the harvest, the crews drifted downward from the Dakotas into Texas._
   - _The highway runs downward from Seattle through Oregon into California._

## Adjective

2. Moving, sloping, or oriented toward a lower level or position.
   - Simple: Moving or pointing toward a lower place or level.
   - _A sudden downward movement of the elevator startled the passengers._
   - _The report showed a downward trend in monthly sales._
4. Situated at a level or position lower than a given point of reference.
   - Simple: Being in a place or position that is lower.

## Origin

Formed from "down" combined with the suffix "-ward," which shows direction.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/downward (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).