What does downvote mean?
To "downvote" is to register a negative vote on a piece of content posted to an online platform such as Reddit, Stack Exchange, or a comment thread. The act signals that the reader finds the post unhelpful, inaccurate, offensive, or otherwise unworthy of attention, and on many sites accumulated downvotes lower the content's visibility while boosting better-rated alternatives. The word functions both as a verb — "the answer was downvoted for its inaccuracy" — and as a noun naming the negative vote itself. Its counterpart is "upvote," which expresses approval. Downvote is distinctly informal and tied to internet culture; it has no meaningful use outside digital voting systems. Though recent in origin, emerging with early-2000s forum and social news platforms, it has become thoroughly established in everyday online vocabulary. Understanding it matters because downvoting shapes what millions of readers see: it is a small act with real consequences, determining which voices rise and which quietly disappear from view.
To register a vote against online content to indicate disapproval or that it is not useful.
"Users can downvote comments that violate the community's guidelines."
Typically used intransitively with an implied object or transitively, as in "downvote a post."
A negative vote cast on a post, comment, or other item of online content.
"The answer received hundreds of downvotes before it was removed."
Usually appears in the plural when describing overall community response.
The noun form takes a regular plural; it is most often encountered in the plural when discussing aggregate community reactions.
"Despite its accuracy, the answer attracted dozens of downvotes from annoyed regulars."
"Downvote" didn't exist until internet forums needed a word for the world's fastest way to say no.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of downvote
The word "downvote" is a modern compound formed from "down" plus "vote." Its root "vote" derives from the Latin "votum," meaning a vow or wish, which entered English via the medieval Latin "votum" in the sense of a formal expression of opinion or choice. The compound itself arose in the late twentieth century alongside online forums and social news websites that let users rate content, becoming widespread in the 2000s with sites such as Reddit and Digg.
How downvote is actually used
Informal, digital-native vocabulary used almost exclusively in the context of social media, forums, and Q&A sites. It carries a mildly negative connotation, as receiving many downvotes signals community rejection.
Easily confused with downvote
An upvote expresses approval or usefulness on online platforms, whereas a downvote expresses disapproval.