How to pronounce downstairs
Say it like down-STAIRZ. Downstairs has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAIRZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce downstairs. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- down
- STAIRZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Downstairs pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- downGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- STAIRZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of downstairs
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: down-STAIRZ.
What does downstairs mean?
- on a floor below“the tenants live downstairs”
- on or of lower floors of a building“the downstairs (or downstair) phone”
Where does downstairs come from?
From down- + stair + -s.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with downstairs
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of downstairs.
Questions about saying downstairs
How do you pronounce downstairs?
Say down-STAIRZ. The American pronunciation is /ˌdaʊnˈstɛrz/. In British English it is /daʊnˈstɛəz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in downstairs?
Downstairs has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAIRZ). Broken into parts: down · STAIRZ.
Is downstairs pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /daʊnˈstɛəz/ (down-STAIRZ).