downward

/ˈdaʊnwəd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdaʊnwərd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdau̇n-wərd/ (ame, mw) · /ˈdaʊn.wəd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdaʊn.wɚd/ (ame, ipa)

downward — adjective

  • downwardpositive
  • more downwardcomparative
  • most downwardsuperlative

1. describing movement or direction that goes from a higher place or level to a low

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describing movement or direction that goes from a higher place or level to a lower one — for example, a downward slope, a downward trend in prices, or a downward pull on an object.

例句

The plane began its slow downward descent toward the runway.

collocation: downward descent / downward trend

Store sales have been on a downward trend for three months.

collocation: on a downward trend

同義詞
  • descending

    more formal; often suggests a gradual or controlled movement (a descending aircraft)

  • falling

    implies faster or uncontrolled movement (falling leaves, falling prices)

  • declining

    almost always metaphorical, describing a reduction in quantity, quality, or value (declining sales)

反義詞
  • upward

    movement toward a higher position or level

文法句型

downward + noun

用法筆記

Frequently placed directly before a noun. The physical sense (a downward slope) is most common, but the word also appears in metaphorical contexts describing decline (a downward spiral, a downward trend). Do not confuse with the adverb 'downward(s)', which modifies verbs instead of nouns.

常見錯誤

❌The bird flew in a downwards direction.
✅The bird flew in a downward direction.
💡'downwards' is an adverb, not an adjective; the adjective form has no '-s'.
❌We saw a downward movement of the stock price.
✅We saw a downward move in the stock price.
💡'downward movement' is acceptable but slightly wordy; 'downward move' or 'downward trend' is more natural.

downward — adverb