Downward and downwards are both correct words, but they can differ slightly in usage depending on the sentence, context, and variety of English you’re using. If you’ve come across “downward or downwards” and wondered which form is correct, the difference is closely connected to adverbs, direction, movement, American English, British English, and formal writing.
The downward or downwards meaning is generally related to movement or direction toward a lower position. Downward can function as an adjective or adverb, while downwards is used as an adverb. In many contexts, the two words can be used interchangeably, especially when describing movement toward a lower place or level. However, downward is more common in American English, while downwards is more common in British English.
In this guide, you’ll learn whether “downward” or “downwards” is correct, what each word means, how they differ in usage, and when to use “downward” instead of “downwards.” You’ll also see clear examples to help you understand the difference and use both forms naturally.
By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use downward or downwards and which form is more appropriate for American and British English.
Downward vs Downwards: Quick Answer
Downward and downwards are both correct.
| Word | Main grammatical role | Meaning | Common usage |
| downward | Adjective and adverb | Toward a lower position, level, or amount | Especially common in American English |
| downwards | Adverb | Toward a lower position, level, or amount | Especially common in British English |
Consider these examples:
- The plane moved downward.
- The plane moved downwards.
- The company reported a downward trend.
- The path slopes downwards toward the river.
- She looked downward.
- She looked downwards.
The important grammatical distinction is that downward can modify a noun, while downwards is normally an adverb.
So you should write:
The company experienced a downward trend.
The word downward describes the noun trend, so it acts as an adjective.
You would not normally write:
The company experienced a downwards trend.
For an American audience, downward is usually the easiest all-purpose choice. For British English, downwards is a natural choice when the word functions as an adverb.
What Does Downward Mean?
Downward means moving toward a lower position, level, or amount.
It can describe physical direction:
The elevator began its downward movement.
It can also describe a change in an abstract quantity:
The company saw a downward trend in sales.
Cambridge lists downward as an adjective meaning “moving towards a lower position.” It also recognizes its adverbial use, particularly in American English.
The word therefore works in several common contexts:
- Physical movement
- Direction
- Measurement
- Statistics
- Economics
- Business
- Science
- Technology
- Social conditions
- Trends and changes
Downward as an Adjective
As an adjective, downward modifies a noun.
For example:
- downward movement
- downward pressure
- downward trend
- downward slope
- downward direction
- downward force
- downward trajectory
- downward spiral
- downward adjustment
- downward mobility
In each phrase, downward tells you something about the noun that follows it.
The graph shows a downward trend.
Here, downward describes the direction of the trend.
The machine experienced downward pressure.
Here, downward describes the direction of the pressure.
Downward as an Adverb
In American English, downward can also function as an adverb.
For example:
The ball fell downward.
The aircraft accelerated downward.
The temperature moved downward.
She looked downward.
In British English, speakers and writers often use downwards in these positions instead. Cambridge describes this regional distinction directly: downward is mainly used as an adverb in American English, while downwards is the usual British form.
What Does Downwards Mean?
Downwards is an adverb meaning toward a lower position, level, or amount.
For example:
The road slopes gently downwards.
The water flows downwards through the rocks.
He looked downwards.
The aircraft began to spiral downwards.
Cambridge classifies downwards as an adverb and labels it mainly UK, while noting that American English usually uses downward instead.
The word is especially natural when you are describing direction or movement.
Downwards as an Adverb
You can use downwards after verbs to describe movement toward a lower position:
- move downwards
- fall downwards
- flow downwards
- point downwards
- travel downwards
- slope downwards
- look downwards
- spiral downwards
- extend downwards
- bend downwards
For example:
The trail continues downwards toward the valley.
The river flows downwards from the mountains.
The arrow points downwards.
These constructions are entirely normal in British English.
Downward vs Downwards: What Is the Difference?
The core meaning is almost identical when the words function as adverbs.
The biggest differences are grammatical position and regional convention.
Consider:
The road slopes downward.
and:
The road slopes downwards.
Both mean that the road slopes toward a lower position.
Cambridge gives essentially this same distinction: downwards is the adverbial form mainly associated with British English, while downward is commonly used as the American adverbial equivalent.
The more important grammatical difference appears when the word comes before a noun.
Before a Noun, Use Downward
Use downward when it directly modifies a noun:
- downward trend
- downward movement
- downward pressure
- downward slope
- downward direction
- downward force
- downward trajectory
For example:
The report identified a downward trend in demand.
Here, downward is an adjective.
You wouldn’t normally replace it with downwards:
The report identified a downwards trend in demand.
That construction is not standard.
After a Verb, Both Forms Can Work
When describing direction after a verb, the choice depends largely on regional style.
The object moved downward.
The object moved downwards.
Likewise:
She looked downward.
She looked downwards.
For American English, the first form will usually sound more natural. For British English, the second may sound more natural.
Downward vs Downwards in American and British English
Regional English explains much of the confusion.
Is Downward More Common in American English?
Yes.
In American English, downward commonly serves both functions:
The prices moved downward.
and:
The company experienced a downward trend.
Cambridge’s American Dictionary explicitly gives downward as an adverb meaning “toward a lower position, level, or amount.” It also lists downwards as an alternative
So if you’re writing for a US audience, downward is generally the safest and most natural choice.
Is Downwards More Common in British English?
Yes, particularly when the word functions as an adverb.
British English commonly distinguishes:
- downward → adjective
- downwards → adverb
For example:
The statistics show a downward trend.
but:
The numbers are moving downwards.
However, this does not mean British English considers downward wrong as an adjective. Quite the opposite. Expressions such as downward trend, downward pressure, and downward spiral are completely standard.
Are Downward and Downwards Both Correct?
Yes.
Neither word is an error.
The choice depends primarily on:
- Grammatical function
- Regional variety of English
- Style preference
- The surrounding words
A useful rule is:
Before a noun, use “downward.” For adverbial direction, “downward” is especially common in American English, while “downwards” is especially common in British English.
Downward or Downwards in a Sentence
The easiest way to understand the difference is to compare them in complete sentences.
When Both Forms Work
| Meaning | American-style example | British-style example |
| Physical movement | The object moved downward. | The object moved downwards. |
| Looking | She looked downward. | She looked downwards. |
| Sloping | The path slopes downward. | The path slopes downwards. |
| Flow | Water flowed downward. | Water flowed downwards. |
| Direction | The arrow points downward. | The arrow points downwards. |
| Falling | The aircraft moved downward. | The aircraft moved downwards. |
The underlying meaning doesn’t substantially change.
When Downward Is Required by the Construction
When the word modifies a noun, use downward:
- a downward trend
- a downward movement
- a downward slope
- downward pressure
- downward force
- a downward trajectory
- a downward spiral
For example:
The company is experiencing a downward trend in revenue.
The word downward modifies trend. That makes it an adjective.
Downward as an Adjective vs Adverb
This grammatical distinction is the key to mastering the words.
Downward as an Adjective
An adjective describes or modifies a noun.
The downward movement was sudden.
We observed a downward shift in demand.
The athlete used a downward motion.
The graph shows a downward trajectory.
In all four examples, downward appears before a noun.
Downward as an Adverb
An adverb modifies a verb or describes how an action occurs.
The object moved downward.
The bird flew downward.
The temperature moved downward.
He glanced downward.
This usage is particularly characteristic of American English. Cambridge Dictionary
Downwards as an Adverb
British English frequently uses downwards in the same situations:
The object moved downwards.
The bird flew downwards.
The temperature moved downwards.
He glanced downwards.
This is why treating downwards as an incorrect version of downward would be misleading.
Downward or Downwards in Formal Writing
For formal writing, the best choice depends on your audience.
If you’re writing for an American audience, downward is usually the cleaner option:
The data indicate a downward movement in prices.
The results show that the measurements declined downward.
More naturally, depending on context, you might simply write:
The data indicate a decline in prices.
For British English, downwards is perfectly appropriate as an adverb:
The figures continued to move downwards.
However, formal writing often favors established adjective-noun combinations with downward:
- downward trend
- downward pressure
- downward movement
- downward revision
- downward adjustment
- downward trajectory
Cambridge’s Business English material uses downward in professional contexts such as changes in exchange rates and economic trends.
Downward or Downwards in Scientific and Technical English
Scientific writing often needs precise descriptions of direction.
You may encounter phrases such as:
- downward force
- downward acceleration
- downward motion
- downward displacement
- downward flow
- downward movement
- downward direction
- downward pressure
For example:
Gravity produces a downward force on the object.
Here, downward modifies force, so it is an adjective.
In a sentence describing movement:
The object moved downward.
American English commonly uses downward as the adverb.
British English can use:
The object moved downwards.
The choice doesn’t change the physical direction being described.
Why Technical Writing Often Uses Downward
Technical terminology frequently places the directional word directly before a noun:
downward force
downward pressure
Because downward is the adjective, these constructions naturally favor it regardless of whether the surrounding document uses British or American English.
Downward or Downwards in Anatomy
The word downward can describe movement toward a lower position in anatomical discussions.
For example:
The arm moved in a downward direction.
The structure showed downward displacement.
The patient’s gaze shifted downward.
However, anatomy has a more precise vocabulary than ordinary directional English.
Depending on the context, anatomical writing may use terms such as:
- inferior
- superior
- proximal
- distal
- medial
- lateral
- anterior
- posterior
- cranial
- caudal
These terms shouldn’t be treated as perfect synonyms for downward. Anatomical direction depends on the body’s standard anatomical position and the particular structure being discussed.
So downward is useful for ordinary descriptions of movement, but technical anatomical writing may require a specific directional term.
Downward vs Downwards Examples
Examples make the distinction much easier to see.
Everyday Examples
- The elevator moved downward.
- The elevator moved downwards.
- She looked downward.
- She looked downwards.
- The ball rolled downward.
- The ball rolled downwards.
For American English, the versions without -s are generally more natural.
For British English, the versions ending in -s are common when the word functions as an adverb.
Academic Examples
The graph shows a downward trend in enrollment.
The measured values moved downward over the observation period.
The values moved downwards over the observation period.
The first sentence uses downward as an adjective. The latter two use it as an adverb.
Business Examples
The company reported a downward trend in quarterly sales.
The market moved downward after the announcement.
The exchange rate was adjusted downward.
Cambridge’s Business English examples likewise use downward for movements involving markets, exchange rates, and economic measurements.
Scientific Examples
The object experienced a downward force.
The particle moved downward through the medium.
Water flows downwards through the porous material.
The choice between the last two sentences can reflect regional English rather than a difference in scientific meaning.
Downward Trend vs Downwards Trend
This is one of the most important distinctions to remember.
Correct: Downward Trend
The economy experienced a downward trend.
The chart shows a downward trend in prices.
Researchers observed a downward trend in the measurements.
Here, downward is an adjective modifying trend.
Why “Downwards Trend” Is Usually Wrong
Downwards functions as an adverb. It normally describes an action or direction rather than directly modifying a noun.
So:
❌ a downwards trend
is not the standard construction.
Use:
✅ a downward trend
The same principle applies to many established combinations:
| Preferred form | Why |
| downward trend | Downward modifies trend |
| downward movement | Downward modifies movement |
| downward pressure | Downward modifies pressure |
| downward trajectory | Downward modifies trajectory |
| downward spiral | Downward modifies spiral |
| downward slope | Downward modifies slope |
This is a grammar issue, not simply an American-versus-British spelling preference.
Common Phrases With Downward
Downward appears in many established expressions.
Downward Trend
A downward trend is a general movement toward lower values.
The data reveal a downward trend in demand.
Downward Spiral
A downward spiral describes a continuing decline in a situation.
The business entered a downward spiral after several years of losses.
The phrase can describe economics, mental states, relationships, organizations, or other deteriorating situations.
Downward Pressure
Downward pressure refers to a force or influence that pushes something toward a lower level.
Higher supply can create downward pressure on prices.
Downward Mobility
Downward mobility refers to movement to a lower socioeconomic position.
The study examined factors associated with downward mobility.
Downward Slope
A downward slope moves from a higher position to a lower one.
The trail follows a steep downward slope.
Downward Trajectory
A downward trajectory describes a path or development that moves lower.
The company appears to be on a downward trajectory.
Downward Adjustment
A downward adjustment means reducing a figure, estimate, expectation, or value.
The analyst made a downward adjustment to the forecast.
Common Phrases With Downwards
Because downwards is normally an adverb, it appears naturally after verbs.
Common combinations include:
- move downwards
- fall downwards
- flow downwards
- point downwards
- look downwards
- travel downwards
- slope downwards
- spiral downwards
- extend downwards
- bend downwards
For example:
The path slopes downwards toward the lake.
The water flows downwards through the rocks.
The arrow points downwards.
These are particularly natural in British English. Cambridge provides similar examples involving roads, water, paths, levers, and movement.
Downward vs Downwards vs Down
Don’t overlook the shorter word down.
Down, downward, and downwards can overlap in meaning, but they aren’t interchangeable in every grammatical construction.
Compare:
The temperature went down.
The temperature moved downwards.
All three can communicate a decline or movement toward a lower level.
But downward is especially useful when you need an adjective:
a downward trend
You cannot simply replace it with:
❌ a down trend
The expression changes.
Down
Down is extremely flexible. It can function as a preposition, adverb, adjective, and part of many phrasal verbs.
The child ran down the hill.
Please put the book down.
Prices went down.
Cambridge notes that down can describe movement to a lower position or level and has several additional meanings depending on context.
Downward
It is especially useful for formal descriptions of direction and trends.
downward movement
Downwards
Downwards is an adverb meaning toward a lower position.
The path slopes downwards.
So the three words overlap, but grammar determines which one fits best.
Downward vs Downwards: Common Mistakes
Mistake: Treating Downwards as Incorrect
Some writers assume the -s makes downwards wrong.
It doesn’t.
Downwards is a standard English adverb, particularly common in British English. Cambridge explicitly labels it “mainly UK” and gives numerous standard examples.
Mistake: Using Downwards Before a Noun
A common error is:
❌ a downwards trend
Use:
✅ a downward trend
Likewise:
❌ downwardly pressure
✅ downward pressure
The normal adjective is downward.
Mistake: Assuming Downward Is Only American
That’s also incorrect.
Downward is standard as an adjective in both major varieties of English:
a downward slope
a downward trend
downward pressure
The main regional difference concerns its adverbial use.
Mistake: Switching Forms Randomly
If you’re writing a British English document, using downwards for adverbial direction is perfectly natural.
If you’re writing American English, downward will usually sound more consistent.
The goal isn’t to avoid one form. The goal is to match the grammatical role and audience.
How to Choose Between Downward and Downwards
You can remember the difference with a simple three-step rule.
Before a Noun: Choose Downward
a downward trend
a downward slope
downward pressure
After a Verb: Check Your Variety of English
American English:
The price moved downward.
British English:
The price moved downwards.
Both are standard.
For American Readers, Downward Is the Safe Default
If your content targets the United States, downward works naturally as both an adjective and an adverb.
For example:
The plane moved downward.
The graph shows a downward trend.
This keeps your terminology consistent.
A Simple Case Study: Choosing the Right Form
Imagine you’re writing a business report about falling sales.
You might have these sentences:
Sales moved downwards during the final quarter.
The company experienced a downwards trend in revenue.
The first sentence can be acceptable in British English because downwards functions as an adverb.
The second is problematic because downwards is being used to modify the noun trend.
A better version is:
Sales moved downwards during the final quarter.
The company experienced a downward trend in revenue.
For American English, you could use:
Sales moved downward during the final quarter.
The company experienced a downward trend in revenue.
The key isn’t simply “use downward.” The key is knowing what job the word performs in the sentence.
Downward or Downwards: Quick Grammar Test
Choose downward or downwards in each sentence.
- The road slopes gently ___ toward the valley.
- The company reported a ___ trend in revenue.
- She looked ___ at the floor.
- The water flowed ___ through the rocks.
- The graph shows a ___ movement.
- The aircraft began moving ___.
- The government faced ___ pressure.
- The arrow points ___.
- The path continues ___.
- The report describes a ___ trajectory.
Answers
- downward/downwards
- downward
- downward/downwards
- downward/downwards
- downward
- downward/downwards
- downward
- downward/downwards
- downward/downwards
- downward
The pattern is straightforward: when the word modifies a noun, use downward. When it functions as an adverb of direction, both forms may work, with regional preference determining which sounds more natural.
Downward and Downwards Synonyms
The best synonym depends on the context.
Synonyms for Downward
Possible alternatives include:
- descending
- falling
- declining
- lower
- descending in direction
- toward a lower level
However, these aren’t interchangeable in every sentence.
For example:
a downward trend
can often become:
a declining trend
But:
a downward slope
doesn’t necessarily become:
a declining slope
because declining often suggests a decrease rather than simply physical direction.
Synonyms for Downwards
Depending on the sentence, possible alternatives include:
- downward
- down
- toward the bottom
- toward a lower position
- toward the ground
- below
For example:
The arrow points downwards.
can become:
The arrow points down.
But the two versions may have slightly different stylistic effects.
Downward vs Downwards: Frequently Asked Questions
Is downward or downwards correct?
Both are correct. The choice depends on grammar, regional English, and context.
Is downwards a real word?
Yes. Downwards is a standard English adverb, particularly common in British English.
Is downward more common in American English?
Yes. Downward is commonly used as both an adjective and an adverb in American English.
Is downwards more common in British English?
Yes. British English commonly uses downwards as an adverb, while downward remains standard as an adjective.
Can downward and downwards be used interchangeably?
Often, but not always. When they function as adverbs describing movement toward a lower position, they can usually express the same idea. But downward is the normal adjective before a noun.
Is “downwards trend” correct?
No. The standard expression is downward trend.
✅ a downward trend
❌ a downwards trend
Should I say “downward trend” or “downwards trend”?
Use downward trend. Here, downward is an adjective modifying trend.
What is the difference between downward and downwards?
The basic meaning is the same: toward a lower position, level, or amount. The main distinction is that downward can be an adjective and an adverb, while downwards is normally an adverb. Regional preference also matters.
Is downward an adjective or an adverb?
Both.
As an adjective:
a downward slope
As an adverb, particularly in American English:
The slope moves downward.
Is downwards an adjective or an adverb?
Downwards is an adverb.
The road slopes downwards.
It normally does not function as an adjective before a noun.
What does downward mean in anatomy?
In ordinary anatomical descriptions, downward means toward a lower position. However, technical anatomy often uses more precise directional terms such as inferior or caudal, depending on the context.
What is a synonym for downward?
Depending on context, possible synonyms include descending, falling, declining, lower, and toward a lower position. No synonym works perfectly in every sentence.
What is a synonym for downwards?
Depending on context, possible alternatives include downward, down, toward a lower position, and toward the bottom.
Downward or Downwards: Key Takeaways
Here’s everything you need to remember:
- Downward and downwards are both correct.
- Both can express movement toward a lower position.
- Downward functions as both an adjective and an adverb.
- Downwards normally functions as an adverb.
- Downward is especially common as an adverb in American English.
- Downwards is especially common as an adverb in British English.
- Use downward trend, not downwards trend.
- Use downward pressure, not downwards pressure.
- Use downward movement when the word modifies movement.
- After a verb describing direction, either downward or downwards may work depending on regional style.
- For US-focused writing, downward is usually the safest choice.
- For UK-focused writing, downwards is a natural adverbial choice.
Conclusion: Downward and Downwards Are Both Correct
The question isn’t really whether downward or downwards is correct. Both forms are correct. The more useful question is how you’re using the word in the sentence.
Use downward when it modifies a noun:
downward trend
downward pressure
When the word functions as an adverb meaning “toward a lower position,” both forms can work. American English generally favors downward, while British English commonly uses downwards.
So if you’re writing for a US audience, you can comfortably use downward in sentences such as:
The prices continued to move downward.
If you’re writing British English, this is equally natural:
The prices continued to move downwards.
The one rule worth memorizing is simple: use “downward” before a noun, and choose “downward” or “downwards” as an adverb according to your variety of English and preferred style.
That small distinction will eliminate most downward vs downwards mistakes before they reach your final draft.
