How to pronounce downwards
Say it like DOWN-werdz. Downwards has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOWN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce downwards. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOWN
- werdz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Downwards pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DOWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- werdzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of downwards
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: DOWN-wudz.
What does downwards mean?
- Towards a lower place; towards what is below.“Gravity pulls everything downwards.”
- Towards something which is lower in order, smaller, inferior, etc.“After the rise in oil prices, the economy headed downwards.”
- Downward.
Where does downwards come from?
From down + -wards.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying downwards
How do you pronounce downwards?
Say DOWN-werdz. The American pronunciation is /ˈdaʊnwɚdz/. In British English it is /ˈdaʊnwədz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in downwards?
Downwards has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOWN). Broken into parts: DOWN · werdz.
Is downwards 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 /ˈdaʊnwədz/ (DOWN-wudz).