[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/downward/)

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# downward

adjective (downward); adverb (downward, downwards — UK prefers downwards)

«downward» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Downward means moving or pointing towards a lower place. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/downward/#m1)
2. Downward means going down in amount, as in a downward trend. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/downward/#m2)

### In the lessons

In maths graphs a downward line shows decreasing numbers; in science gravity pulls things downward. Phrases: «a downward slope», «a downward trend», «face downward», «downward spiral».

### Examples

- The ball rolled downward. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/downward/#x1)
- The path slopes downward to the beach. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/downward/#x2)
- Gravity pulls objects downward. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/downward/#x3)
- The graph shows a downward trend in sales. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/downward/#x4)
- Lie face downward on the mat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/downward/#x5)
- Prices are moving downward this month. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/downward/#x6)
- Still the young man moved slowly downward. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/downward/#x7)

### Note

As an adverb, UK usually says «downwards», US «downward»; before a noun always «downward»: «a downward slope». Opposite: upward(s). Maths: a downward line on a graph means decreasing.

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Ecclesiastes asks whether the human spirit goes up and the beast's goes down; tradition teaches that the soul returns to God while the body returns to dust. In the primary lessons: In maths graphs a downward line shows decreasing numbers; in science gravity pulls things downward. Phrases: «a downward slope», «a downward trend», «face downward», «downward spiral».

### Examples

- And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. (Prophets 2KI.19.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/downward/#x1)
- Who knoweth the spirit of man whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast whether it goeth downward to the earth? (Writings ECC.3.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/downward/#x2)
- Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins and downward, fire; and from his loins and upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of electrum. (Prophets EZK.8.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/downward/#x3)

### Note

As an adverb, UK usually says «downwards», US «downward»; before a noun always «downward»: «a downward slope». Opposite: upward(s). Maths: a downward line on a graph means decreasing.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «downward» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/downward/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«downward» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/downward.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «downward» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/downward/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«downward» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/downward.html) on Mova free.