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Synonyms

downstairs

American  
[doun-stairz, doun-stairz] / ˈdaʊnˈstɛərz, ˈdaʊnˌstɛərz /

adverb

  1. down the stairs.

  2. to or on a lower floor.

adjective

  1. Also downstair pertaining to or situated on a lower floor, especially the ground floor.

noun

  1. (used with a singular verb) the lower floor or floors of a building.

    The downstairs is being painted.

  2. the stairway designated for use by people descending.

    Don't try to go up the downstairs.
downstairs British  
/ ˈdaʊnˈstɛəz /

adverb

  1. down the stairs; to or on a lower floor

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

    1. a lower or ground floor

    2. ( as modifier )

      a downstairs room

  2. informal the servants of a household collectively Compare upstairs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of downstairs

First recorded in 1590–1600; down 1 + stair + -s 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“And my other favorite time is sunset in the upper bedroom or downstairs barbecuing something outdoors. The views really are spectacular.”

From MarketWatch

While Calvin slept downstairs, the spirits, evil or not, continued their antics.

From Literature

Five minutes past midnight, she hit "submit" on her story and headed downstairs to the ground floor.

From BBC

I didn’t even take time to wash my face or comb my hair before I ran downstairs.

From Literature

I was supposed to head downstairs for a reception with Congresswoman Pelosi and a delegation of California Democrats, but I needed a breath of fresh air.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.