downstairs

[adv., n. doun-stairz; adj. doun-stairz] /adv., n. ˈdaʊnˈstɛərz; adj. ˈdaʊnˌstɛərz/
adverb
1.
down the stairs.
2.
to or on a lower floor.
adjective
3.
Also, downstair. pertaining to or situated on a lower floor, especially the ground floor.
noun
4.
(used with a singular verb) the lower floor or floors of a building:
The downstairs is being painted.
5.
the stairway designated for use by people descending:
Don't try to go up the downstairs.
Origin
1590-1600; down1 + stair + -s3
Examples from the web for downstairs
  • Because our bedroom is on the second floor of our condo, it's usually warmer than the thermostat downstairs.
  • My extraordinarily talented second brother lives downstairs.
  • But she did not listen to him, and went downstairs rapidly.
  • Slowly she rose from amongst her scattered locks, and slowly she made her way downstairs.
  • When she recovered they carried her downstairs, and put her into the cab that stood waiting at the door.
  • She went downstairs and returned with a white earthenware jug of water.
  • He must have seized the interval to get downstairs and slip by them somehow.
  • Finally, he got out of bed and went downstairs to the homemade studio of his struggling record company.
  • So from the yard they'd go downstairs to the prison industries, which consisted of a large military armory.
  • downstairs, the reception area is lined with battered folding chairs occupied by patients with makeshift bandages or open wounds.
British Dictionary definitions for downstairs

downstairs

/ˈdaʊnˈstɛəz/
adverb
1.
down the stairs; to or on a lower floor
noun
2.
  1. a lower or ground floor
  2. (as modifier): a downstairs room
3.
(Brit, informal, old-fashioned) the servants of a household collectively Compare upstairs (sense 6)
Word Origin and History for downstairs
adv., adj.

1590s, from down (adv.) + stairs (see stair).