Down
|down|
/daʊn/
(down)
lower position
Etymology
'down' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'dūn' (also attested as 'dūn'/'dun'), where the root meant 'down; hill; soft feathers' in different senses.
'down' in Old English ('dūn') passed into Middle English as 'doun'/'doune' with senses including 'downward direction', 'soft feather', and 'hill', and eventually became the modern English word 'down'.
Initially, forms like 'dūn' could mean 'hill' or 'soft feather' (related but distinct senses); over time the directional sense ('from higher to lower') and the feather sense specialized into the modern polyseme 'down'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
soft fine feathers from birds (used for filling clothing and bedding).
The jacket is filled with down for extra warmth.
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Noun 2
a rolling grassy hill or open upland (often plural: 'the downs').
They hiked across the chalk downs.
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Noun 3
a disadvantage, setback, or negative circumstance (often in the phrase 'ups and downs').
Life has its ups and downs.
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Antonyms
Verb 1
to cause to fall or to bring down (physically).
The strong wind downed several trees.
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Verb 2
to drink or eat quickly and completely (informal).
He downed his coffee and left.
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Verb 3
to defeat or incapacitate (e.g., to knock unconscious).
The boxer downed his opponent in the third round.
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Adjective 1
feeling sad, depressed, or discouraged.
She's been feeling down since the exam results.
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Adjective 2
not functioning or switched off (of systems, services, or machinery).
The website is down for maintenance.
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Adverb 1
from a higher place to a lower place; in a lower position or place (movement or direction).
She walked down the stairs.
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Preposition 1
along the length or course of something (e.g., a street or river): toward a specified point in the lower/forward direction.
They drove down the coast.
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Particle 1
used in phrasal verbs to change the meaning of a verb (e.g., 'write down', 'sit down', 'bring down').
Please write down your phone number.
Last updated: 2025/11/15 02:36