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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Down: Meanings, Examples, and Usage Guide (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：descend (down)

down 🔊

/daʊn/

adv., prep., adj.

moving from a higher place to a lower place

Red soccer ball rolling down green grassy slope motion blur

descend 🔊

➕

/dɪˈsɛnd/

adv., prep., adj.

To move or be directed from a higher position to a lower one.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'of dūne' (from the hill), shortened to 'dūne', later 'down'.

💡 Mnemonic

Down the hill: physical, emotional, numerical decline.

📖 Example

The children happily slid down the playground slide. 🔊 The children happily slid down the playground slide.

🔗 Collocations

go down – to move to a lower position

come down – to fall or descend

climb down – to move downwards using hands and feet

🔄 Synonyms

descend (v.) – to move downward from a higher place

fall (v.) – to drop freely under gravity

drop (v.) – to fall vertically or let fall

🚫 Antonyms

up (adv.) – toward a higher position

rise (v.) – to move upward

ascend (v.) – to go up or climb

🌱 Derivatives

downward (adj./adv.) – moving or leading toward a lower place

downwards (adv.) – toward a lower position

downhill (adj./adv.) – sloping or moving down a hill

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Old English 'of dūne' (from the hill). By 1300s, used to mean 'low in spirits' (downhearted). In economics, 'down' indicates decrease since 1800s.

Meaning 2：sad (down)

down 🔊

/daʊn/

adv., prep., adj.

feeling sad, unhappy, or without energy

Sad woman sitting by rainy window resting chin on hand

sad 🔊

➕

/sæd/

adv., prep., adj.

In a state of sadness or low spirits; lacking energy or enthusiasm.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

She felt a bit down after hearing the disappointing news, but her friends cheered her up. 🔊 She felt a bit down after hearing the disappointing news, but her friends cheered her up.

🔗 Collocations

feel down – to experience sadness or low mood

down in the dumps – feeling depressed or discouraged

downhearted – discouraged or low in spirits

🔄 Synonyms

sad (adj.) – feeling or showing sorrow

depressed (adj.) – in a state of general unhappiness or despondency

gloomy (adj.) – dismally dark or depressing in mood

🚫 Antonyms

happy (adj.) – feeling or showing pleasure or contentment

cheerful (adj.) – noticeably happy and optimistic

upbeat (adj.) – cheerful and optimistic in mood

🌱 Derivatives

downcast (adj.) – feeling dejected or sad

downhearted (adj.) – discouraged or low in morale

downer (n.) – something that makes you feel depressed

Meaning 3：decrease (down)

down 🔊

/daʊn/

adv., prep., adj.

to a lower level or amount

Smartphone screen showing line graph sloping downwards

decrease 🔊

➕

/dɪˈkriːs/

adv., prep., adj.

To a lower level, amount, or value; a reduction.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The company's profits went down by 10% this quarter compared to the last. 🔊 The company's profits went down by 10% this quarter compared to the last.

🔗 Collocations

go down – to decrease in amount or value

cool down – to reduce in temperature or intensity

slow down – to decrease speed or pace

🔄 Synonyms

decrease (v.) – to become smaller or less in size, amount, or degree

decline (v.) – to become smaller, weaker, or less important

drop (v.) – to fall to a lower level or amount

🚫 Antonyms

increase (v.) – to become greater in size, amount, or degree

rise (v.) – to go up or increase

grow (v.) – to increase in size or amount

🌱 Derivatives

downturn (n.) – a decline in economic or business activity

downward (adj.) – moving or tending to a lower level

downsize (v.) – to reduce the size or number of employees or operations