downstairs

1 of 3

adverb

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsterz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
: down the stairs : on or to a lower floor

downstairs

2 of 3

adjective

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˌsterz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
: situated on the main, lower, or ground floor of a building

downstairs

3 of 3

noun

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsterz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
ˈdau̇n-ˌsterz
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the lower floor of a building

Examples of downstairs in a Sentence

Adverb He ran downstairs to answer the door. He lives downstairs from us. “Where are the kids?” “They're downstairs.” Adjective There are five downstairs rooms.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
The film delves into the then-trendy topic of the occult, adapting Ira Levin’s best-selling novel about a pregnant woman (Mia Farrow) in a stylish Manhattan apartment building who slowly realizes that her husband (John Cassavetes) is in league with the Satanists downstairs. Katie Rife, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024 Earlier in the day, Zendaya stole the show at a more temperate reception downstairs, graciously taking selfies with throngs of starstruck revelers. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 After Dupray and others complained of unsanitary conditions, roaches and unlocked trash rooms, in recent weeks management found a solution: Now the trash rooms are locked, requiring the seniors to take their garbage downstairs instead of using the trash chutes. Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 The club had a large room downstairs with a dance floor and bar, plus two banquet and meeting rooms with capacity for 300 people. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 22 Feb. 2024 The group decided to have dinner downstairs at the VIP Impact Club before the game. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024 The Kardashians star then filmed herself walking downstairs with her kids before sharing more kisses and cuddles with them. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Bedrooms feature pink scalloped headboards and bouclé-fabric chairs, but more time will be spent downstairs in the lobby bar and winter garden with its Delft fireplace and weekend DJs. Rick Jordan, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2024 Carter looked around, almost hesitating to keep his voice from traveling downstairs for a moment. Marissa Parra, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2024
Adjective
The downstairs neighbor told the paper that Shrady bought the building in a decrepit and vacant state back in the 1980s, renovated it, and kept the top two floors for himself along with building the Cape Cod–style cottage on the top. A Seaside Cottage, Curbed, 25 Jan. 2024 The downstairs level of the business has been open while the upper level, home to seven of the nine holes, was remodeled last year. Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 23 Jan. 2024 Right behind the goal was the window to our downstairs living room. Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2023 The downstairs primary suite includes a fireplace and a courtyard. Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 22 Aug. 2023 The bar included a downstairs party room dedicated to Ellington, complete with a jukebox filled with the jazz legend’s music. Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2023 The exhibit will be housed on two floors at the museum— the upstairs Jemison galleries as well as the downstairs Pizitz gallery. Shauna Stuart | Sstuart@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2023 These guys are our downstairs neighbors in the office, and really good friends. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2023 Forensic investigators found evidence of large quantities of blood at the base of the stairs, in the downstairs laundry room and in the garage, the documents state. Anastasia Hufham, The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 Aug. 2022
Noun
Features her homebuyers are prioritizing include a downstairs bedroom suite, workout room, pool, smart home features, water filtration and ample natural light. Jamie Gold, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Along with dining areas on the main floor, Lou Lou on Market has a speakeasy-type downstairs bar, upstairs dining areas, and a large outdoor patio with a bar. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 1 Feb. 2024 No, no … Amie had gone out with friends and Herman was in his downstairs bedroom. Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2024 Cubby’s mother, Patsy Adams, lives in a downstairs bedroom and chose a Wonder Woman theme. Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Housed in a former private estate, the new spot offers up a downstairs dining room for enjoying Mexican classics and an upstairs area just for ZZ’s Club members. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2023 Detroit — In a duplex on Detroit's west side, downstairs renter Colin McConnell said the new neighbors above him had been disrupting his peace below. Steve Hartman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2023 Framed cartoons by Gahan Wilson, Jules Feiffer, Frank Modell and Liana Finck, many of them traded for her own cartoons, line the walls of the downstairs bathroom. Joanne Kaufman, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2023 David is immediately overcome with upstairs/downstairs feelings for Natalie but tries to play it cool. Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'downstairs.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1598, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1702, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of downstairs was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near downstairs

Cite this Entry

“Downstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downstairs. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

downstairs

1 of 3 adverb
down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsta(ə)rz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
-ˈste(ə)rz
: down the stairs : on or to a lower floor

downstairs

2 of 3 adjective
down·​stairs -ˌsta(ə)rz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
-ˌste(ə)rz
: situated on a lower level or on the main or first floor

downstairs

3 of 3 noun singular or plural
down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsta(ə)rz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
-ˈste(ə)rz,
-ˌsta(ə)rz,
-ˌste(ə)rz
: the lower floor of a building

More from Merriam-Webster on downstairs

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