down

Where “down” sits in English frequency

Definition

1. 1
   From a higher position to a lower one; downwards.
2. 2
   To or towards what is considered the bottom of something, irrespective of whether this is presently physically lower.
3. 3
   At a lower or further place or position along a set path.
4. 4
   To the south (as south is at the bottom of typical maps).
5. 5
   Away from the city (regardless of direction).
6. 6
   At or towards any place that is visualised as 'down' by virtue of local features or local convention, or arbitrarily, irrespective of direction or elevation change.
7. 7
   Forward, straight ahead.
8. 8
   In the direction leading away from the principal terminus, away from milepost zero.
9. 9
   Away from Oxford or Cambridge.
10. 10
    To a subordinate or less prestigious position or rank.
11. 11
    Towards the opponent's side (in ball-sports).
12. 12
    So as to lessen quantity, level or intensity.
13. 13
    So as to reduce size, weight or volume.
14. 14
    From less to greater detail.
15. 15
    From a remoter or higher antiquity.
16. 16
    Into a state of non-operation.
17. 17
    So as to secure or compress something to the floor, ground, or other (usually horizontal) surface.
18. 18
    On paper (or in a durable record).
19. 19
    So as to be cowed into silence.
20. 20
    As a down payment.
21. 21
    In a downwards direction; vertically.
22. 22
    Used with verbs to indicate that the action of the verb was carried to some state of completion, permanence, or success rather than being of indefinite duration.
23. 23
    Get down.

Etymology

Etymology tree Old English of- Proto-Germanic *dūnaz? Proto-Celtic *dūnombor.? Proto-West Germanic *dūnā Old English dūne Old English ofdūne Old English adūne Old English dūne Middle English doun English down From Middle English doun, doune (“down”), from Old English dūne (“down”), aphetic form of adūne (“down, downward”), from earlier ofdūne (“down”, literally “off the hill”), from of (“of, off of”) + dūn (“hill, mount, dune, down”). More at Etymology 2 below. For the development from directional phrases to prepositions, compare Old Frisian dene (“down”, adverb, literally “(to the) floor”), Middle Low German dāle (“down, downwards”, literally “(in/to the) dale/valley”), whence German Low German dal (“down”). Compare also Saterland Frisian deel (“down”, literally “to/into the dale”), West Frisian del (“down”). Cognate with Scots doon (“down”).

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ddown,donw,downn,dowwn,dwon,odwn

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of down - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

Frequently Asked Questions