downstairs

1 of 3

adverb

down·​stairs ˈdau̇n-ˈsterz How to pronounce downstairs (audio)
Synonyms of downstairsnext
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Some upper-level seats were sold because of demand, but those buyers were relocated downstairs Tuesday once production was installed and additional lower-level seats opened up. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026 When Ghostface finally made his way downstairs, the crowd erupted. — Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The Grand Forks Police Department in North Dakota confirmed to Entertainment Weekly’s sister site PEOPLE on Friday that Duckworth was found dead in his apartment Tuesday after his downstairs neighbor reported water coming through the ceiling. — Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026 Something for the windowsill in his downstairs toilet, maybe? — Beren Cross, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
Driving purpose beyond aesthetics, there’s one in mostly each of the six bedrooms as well as throughout downstairs. — Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Their children, Sara and Jackie, move into the flat downstairs. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for downstairs

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

Phrases Containing downstairs

Rhymes for downstairs

See All Rhymes for downstairs

Browse Nearby Words

downstage
downstairs
downstart
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downstairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downstairs. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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 singular or plural noun
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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for downstairs

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