Word · CEFR B1 · Frequency #8499
downward
向下的；下降的
Moving, sloping, or oriented toward a lower place.
- 1.
Moving, sloping or oriented down.
向下移动、倾斜或定向的；向下的。
- 2.
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
从高处向低处延伸或移动
- 3.
Located at a lower level.
位于较低水平的；处于较低位置的。
- 4.
on or toward a surface regarded as a base
在基底表面或朝向基底
下方的；低处的；朝底面的；向基面的；向下移动、倾斜或定向的；向下的。；从高处向低处延伸或移动；位于较低水平的；处于较低位置的。
In use
The plane began its downward descent into the airport.
There is a downward trend in unemployment this quarter.
She made a downward motion with her hand to signal quiet.
the downward course of the stream
he lay face downward
the downward pull of gravity
downward + noun
downward 常与表示趋势、压力等的名词搭配。
The stock market showed a downward trend.
股市显示出下降趋势。
be + downward
用于系表结构，表示方向或状态。
Connections
Collocations
- downward trend
- 下降趋势
- The economy has experienced a downward trend for the past three quarters.过去三个季度，经济一直呈下降趋势。
- downward spiral
- 恶性循环
- The company is caught in a downward spiral of debt and layoffs.这家公司陷入了债务和裁员的恶性循环。
- downward pressure
- 下行压力
- Inflation is putting downward pressure on wages.通货膨胀正在对工资施加下行压力。
- downward slope
- 下坡
- The path follows a gentle downward slope to the river.这条小路沿着缓坡向下通向河边。
- downward movement
- 向下运动
- The seismograph recorded a sudden downward movement of the ground.地震仪记录到了地面的突然向下运动。
- downward adjustment
Learner notes
Memory Tip
想象‘down’（向下）加上‘ward’（朝向），就像箭头指向地面，表示向下的方向。
Context & Register
语域：neutral 常见场景：description of movement or direction、geographical or spatial relationships、graphs or trends 通常用于描述方向或趋势，比较正式和中性，多出现在书面描述中。
Pronunciation & Spelling
All listed words share the '-ward' suffix, pronounced /wəd/ in British English (as in the target) or /wərd/ in American English. Only 'outward' shares the same stressed vowel /aʊ/ but with a different following consonant. 'Coward' looks similar but ends in '-ard' and is pronounced /ˈkaʊəd/.
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.