What does downwards mean?
"Downwards" is an adverb meaning towards a lower position, level, or degree. It describes physical descent — a path leading downwards into a valley, water flowing downwards through pipes — as well as figurative decline, such as prices trending downwards or fortunes slipping downwards over time. A second sense extends it from earlier to later points in a sequence: one may read downwards through a list or trace a family line downwards from an ancestor through successive generations. The word is standard in both British and American English, though British usage favors the -s ending while American English more often uses the shorter form "downward" in the same adverbial role. Neutral in tone, it suits everything from casual conversation about looking downwards from a window to technical writing about pressure acting downwards on a surface. Its clear directional precision makes it indispensable for describing movement, orientation, and gradual change.
Towards a lower place, position, level, or degree.
"The temperature dropped steadily downwards throughout the night."
British English strongly prefers this -s form; American English often substitutes "downward" even in adverbial use.
From an earlier to a later point in a sequence such as time or text.
"Scrolling downwards through the document, she found the appendix she needed."
"Downwards" belongs to a small family of British-style directional adverbs — onwards, upwards, homewards — where Americans tend to drop the -s and Brits keep it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does downwards come from?
"Downwards" is formed from Old English "dūn," originally meaning a hill or elevated ground, which came to mean a lower elevation relative to the speaker's position, combined with the suffix "-weard," meaning directed toward. This same suffix produced a whole set of parallel English directional adverbs including "upwards," "forwards," "backwards," and "homewards." The word has existed in its modern form since Middle English, with cognate directional formations appearing across other Germanic languages that share the same suffix pattern.
How downwards is actually used
In British English, "downwards" is the standard adverbial form, though "downward" is also acceptable. In American English, "downward" is more common in both adjectival and adverbial roles, making "downwards" sound slightly formal or British to US ears. It is neutral in register and appears freely in both everyday speech and formal writing.
Easily confused with downwards
"Downward" is the adjective form (a downward slope), while "downwards" is the adverb form describing direction of movement; American English often uses "downward" for both roles.