downward
downward — 形容詞
- downwardpositive
- more downwardcomparative
- most downwardsuperlative
1. describing movement or direction that goes from a higher place or level to a low
向下的
朝向更低位置或水平的
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.
The plane began its slow downward descent toward the runway.
飛機開始朝跑道緩緩下降。
collocation: downward descent / downward trend
Store sales have been on a downward trend for three months.
商店的銷售額已經連續三個月呈下滑趨勢。
collocation: on a downward trend
Valentina felt a gentle downward pull as the elevator started moving.
電梯開始移動時，Valentina 感覺到一股輕微的向下拉力。
collocation: downward pull / downward force
The hikers followed a narrow downward path into the valley.
登山者沿著一條狹窄的下坡路走進山谷。
Many families were trapped in a downward spiral of debt and worry.
許多家庭陷入債務與憂慮的惡性循環中。
collocation: downward spiral (metaphorical)
- downward trend
- downward spiral
- downward slope
- downward path
- downward direction
- downward movement
- downward pressure
- downward force
- downward pull
- downward revision
- 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)
- 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
downward — 副詞
1. used in US English as a spelling alternative to the adverb 'downwards', carrying
向下
美式拼法，同 downwards
used in US English as a spelling alternative to the adverb 'downwards', carrying the same meaning of movement or direction toward a lower position or level.
The helicopter descended slowly downward toward the landing pad.
直升機緩緩朝停機坪方向下降。
verb + downward indicating physical direction
Eliska glanced downward to check that her shoelaces were tied.
Eliska 往下看了一眼，確認鞋帶繫好了。
Temperatures are expected to trend downward over the weekend.
預計週末氣溫會往下走。
verb + downward for metaphorical/statistical movement
The hiking trail led sharply downward through the pine forest.
這條登山步道穿過松林，急遽向下。
Obi stared silently downward at the crack in the sidewalk.
Obi 靜靜地低頭看著人行道上的裂縫。
- move downward
- glance downward
- look downward
- trend downward
- point downward
- lead downward
- slope downward
- descend downward
文法句型
verb + downward
用法筆記
In US English, 'downward' functions as both an adjective and an adverb. In British English, the adverb form is usually 'downwards' (with an '-s'). Both spellings are understood on either side of the Atlantic, though using 'downward' as an adverb in UK writing may be noted as American.