Downward vs Downwards

Quick Answer

The fastest way to know which spelling to use.

The difference between downward and downwards comes down entirely to geography.

If you are writing for an audience in the United States, the preferred spelling is downward. If you are writing for an audience in the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand, the preferred spelling is downwards when used as an adverb.

Both words refer to the exact same thing: a movement toward a lower position. Neither spelling is grammatically incorrect, but using the wrong one for your target region can look out of place.

Downward vs Downwards at a Glance

A side-by-side breakdown of the key differences.

Feature	Airplane (US)	Aeroplane (UK)
Standard Region	United States	United Kingdom
Spelling	D-O-W-N-W-A-R-D	D-O-W-N-W-A-R-D-S
Syllable Count	2 (DOWN-ward)	2 (DOWN-wards)
Part of Speech	Adjective & Adverb	Adverb (Downward is the adjective)
Meaning	Moving to a lower position	Moving to a lower position

American English: Downward

How the word is used in the United States.

In the United States, "downward" is the universally accepted spelling. It is used as both an adjective (a downward slope) and an adverb (moving downward). American style guides favor dropping the 's' for a streamlined, phonetic approach.

Grammatical Standard

American style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style prefer 'downward' for both adjective and adverb use, avoiding the 's' entirely.

Media and Publishing

Major publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal follow the 'downward' spelling exclusively.

British English: Downwards

How the word is used in the United Kingdom.

In the United Kingdom, "downwards" is the traditional and standard spelling for the adverb. While "downward" is still used as an adjective (e.g., a downward trend), Britons naturally add the 's' when describing motion or direction.

Adverbial Standard

British English uses 'downwards' for direction, as in 'the path led downwards,' reserving 'downward' strictly for modifying nouns.

Modern Usage

Though 'down' is common in casual speech, formal British writing relies on 'downwards' for adverbs rather than the American simplification.

What Do Both Words Mean?

The definition remains exactly the same.

Despite the spelling difference, both "downward" and "downwards" mean exactly the same thing. They refer to movement from a higher to a lower position or level.

Core Definition

Moving or pointing toward a lower place.

Metaphorical Use

Both words are also used to describe a decline in quality, price, or status (e.g., a downward spiral).

American English Usage

How Americans naturally use the word today.

In the US, "downward" is used in almost every context, from casual conversation to financial reports. It serves a dual purpose, modifying both nouns and verbs seamlessly.

Casual Conversation

"He gave a quick downward pull on the rope."

Financial Writing

"The stock market showed a downward trend all week."

Sports Context

"The skier gained speed moving downward."

Industry Standards

"Apply downward pressure to seal the gasket."

British English Usage

How Britons naturally use the word today.

In the UK, "downwards" holds its ground as the primary adverb, while "downward" serves as the adjective. This subtle grammatical split is standard in British English.

Literature and Media

"The temperature gradually slid downwards."

Everyday Conversation

"We walked downwards towards the valley."

Hobbyist Contexts

"The cyclist pedalled downwards into the shaded woods."

News and Journalism

"The pressure on the Prime Minister moved downwards."

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Deciding based on your audience.

The decision is entirely context-driven. If you are writing an email to an American colleague, use "downward." If you are writing a postcard from London to your friends back in Britain, use "downwards."

Choose "Downward" if:

You are writing for a US-based publisher, studying at an American school, or creating content primarily for an American audience.

Choose "Downwards" if:

You are submitting to a UK journal, writing for a British audience, or following Commonwealth English standards for adverbs.

Formal and Professional Writing

What to do in business and academic contexts.

In highly formal writing, it is best to adhere strictly to the regional standard. Both forms are correct, but consistency in grammar and spelling is paramount in professional contexts.

Business Contracts

International corporate documents should define their style guide, usually selecting either US or UK English for adverbial forms.

Academic Research

Scientific papers will typically use 'downward' in US journals and 'downwards' in UK journals, especially when describing physical motion.

Pronunciation

The spelling change does not affect how the word is spoken.

The spelling difference doesn't change the spoken word; the 's' at the end is pronounced softly without adding a syllable.

Word	IPA	Syllables
Airplane (US)	/ˈdaʊnwərd/	2 (DOWN-ward)
Aeroplane (UK)	/ˈdaʊnwərdz/	2 (DOWN-wards)

Because the British version simply adds an 's', the pronunciation remains structurally identical, ending with a voiced 'z' sound.

Spelling Difference

A visual breakdown of the letters.

The core difference is the presence of the letter "s" at the end of the word.

Downward

Downwards

The American version stops at "downward," serving as both adjective and adverb. The British version adds the "s" to specifically mark it as an adverb.

Why Are the Spellings Different?

The history behind the transatlantic split.

1. Old English Roots

The word originates from the Old English 'adūn', meaning 'down' or 'of the hill', combined with '-weard' (meaning 'directed toward').

2. The Adverbial 'S'

In Middle and Early Modern English, adding an 's' to directional words (like towards, afterwards) was a common way to form adverbs. British English largely retained this 's'.

3. Noah Webster's Reform

In the early 1800s, American lexicographer Noah Webster sought to simplify American English. He preferred dropping the adverbial 's' where the meaning was already clear, leading to the American preference for 'downward' as both adjective and adverb.

Synonyms, Antonyms & Rhyming Words

Words related to, opposite of, and sounding like downward/downwards.

Synonyms (Similar Meaning)

Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)

Rhyming Words (Sound Matches)

Learn More Rhyming Words

Example Sentences

See how both words function in original sentences.

Here are 30 original sentences using the American spelling, "downward."

The stock market showed a steady downward trend.
She gave a quick downward pull on the rope.
The airplane began its downward descent.
He felt a downward pressure on his shoulders.
The path led downward toward the river.
There was a downward slope in the road.
The eagle swooped downward to catch its prey.
The company reported a downward shift in profits.
He traced a downward line on the graph.
The gymnast executed a perfect downward dog pose.
The elevator moved downward smoothly.
A downward glance was all she could manage.
The temperature took a sudden downward turn.
The hikers continued downward into the canyon.
He felt a downward spiral in his mood.
The downward trajectory of the ball was clear.
The rain drove downward in heavy sheets.
The price of gas experienced a downward slip.
The downward stroke of the painter's brush was fluid.
The monkey climbed downward to grab the banana.
A downward draft made the room feel cold.
The pilot pointed the nose of the plane downward.
The downward flow of the waterfall was deafening.
The country saw a downward trend in unemployment.
The arrow pointed downward on the sign.
The downward spiral of the economy worried investors.
She cast a downward look at her shoes.
The downward curve of the sword was elegant.
The downward movement of the tides revealed the rocks.
The star seemed to shoot downward across the sky.

Here are 30 original sentences using the British spelling, "downwards."

The path led downwards towards the valley.
She looked downwards to avoid his gaze.
The lift moved downwards smoothly.
The hikers continued downwards into the canyon.
The rain drove downwards in heavy sheets.
The eagle swooped downwards to catch its prey.
The monkey climbed downwards to grab the banana.
His career seemed to spiral downwards.
The cold air blew downwards through the window.
The water flowed downwards over the cliff.
The arrow pointed downwards on the sign.
She glanced downwards at her shoes.
The tide receded downwards to reveal the rocks.
The shooting star streaked downwards across the night sky.
The pilot pointed the nose of the aeroplane downwards.
The ball curved downwards and hit the stumps.
He traced his finger downwards on the graph.
Unemployment figures are trending downwards this quarter.
The gymnast stretched downwards to touch her toes.
The economy has been sliding downwards for months.
The temperature shifted downwards as the sun set.
The weight pushed downwards on his shoulders.
The river flows downwards towards the sea.
The snow fell downwards gently.
The cliff dropped downwards to the beach.
The branch leaned downwards over the garden path.
The aeroplane began its descent downwards.
The pressure forced the liquid downwards through the pipe.
The children slid downwards on the snowbank.
The mechanic reached downwards to tighten the bolt.

Downward in US English

Specific contexts, industry standards, and cultural data for the American spelling.

In the United States, "downward" is the universally preferred spelling. It functions as both an adjective and an adverb. American style guides, including the Associated Press Stylebook, favor dropping the 's' to create a more streamlined word.

Legal & Regulatory Definition

In US legal and financial documents, 'downward' is standard. For example, 'The downward revision of the tax brackets was approved by Congress.'

Manufacturing & Industry

American engineers and industrial manuals use 'downward' for physical motion. 'Apply downward force to seal the gasket.'

Pop Culture & Media

The spelling is cemented in American pop culture, from 'downward dog' in yoga to news headlines about 'downward economic spirals.'

Common American Phrases

• Downward dog: A popular yoga pose.
• Downward spiral: A continuous decline.
• Downward trend: A consistent drop in data.
• Downward pressure: A force pushing something lower.

Downwards in UK English

Specific contexts, industry standards, and cultural data for the British spelling.

In the UK, "downwards" is the traditional spelling for the adverb, while "downward" is used as an adjective. This grammatical split is standard in British English and is maintained in style guides.

Legal & Regulatory Usage

In UK law, 'downwards' is used for motion. For example, 'Liability flows downwards from the parent company to its subsidiaries.'

Media & Publications

Major British publications like The Times and The Guardian use 'downwards' when describing motion or decline, reserving 'downward' strictly for adjectival use.

Cultural & Literary Usage

The word appears in British literature and news to describe physical and metaphorical descent, maintaining the adverbial 's' that characterizes British English.

Common British Phrases

• Moving downwards: Physical descent.
• Trickle downwards: Economic theory.
• Glance downwards: Looking down.
• Stretched downwards: Reaching lower.

Related Directional Vocabulary

Other words that differ in spatial descriptions.

US English	UK English	Meaning
Toward	Towards	In the direction of.
Upward	Upwards	Moving to a higher position.
Forward	Forwards	Moving ahead.
Backward	Backwards	Moving in reverse.

Other US–UK Directional Differences

More words that change when you cross the pond.

Toward vs. Towards

Americans prefer 'toward' while Britons prefer 'towards'.

Upward vs. Upwards

Americans use 'upward' for both roles, while Britons use 'upwards' as an adverb.

Forward vs. Forwards

The US uses 'forward', while the UK often uses 'forwards' for adverbs.

Backward vs. Backwards

Americans prefer 'backward', while Britons use 'backwards' for motion.

Common Mistakes

Frequent errors writers make with these spellings.

Mixing spellings within the same document.

✓ Pick one regional standard and stick to it.

Why: Writing 'The downward trend moved downwards' looks inconsistent in American English, while 'The downwards trend moved downward' is incorrect in British English.

Using 'downwards' as an adjective in British English.

✓ Use 'downward' for adjectives in the UK.

Why: In the UK, 'a downwards trend' is a grammatical error; it should be 'a downward trend'.

Using 'downward' as an adverb in UK formal writing.

✓ Use 'downwards' for adverbs in the UK.

Why: British style guides expect the 's' for adverbs of direction, so writing 'moving downward' will look unpolished to a British editor.

Forgetting the adjective/adverb distinction.

✓ Remember that US English uses 'downward' for both.

Why: American English simplifies the grammar by using one form for all functions, which can confuse ESL learners studying British English.

Adding an extra syllable when pronouncing 'downwards'.

✓ Pronounce it with two syllables.

Why: The 's' does not add a syllable; it is pronounced as a voiced 'z' at the end of the word.

Assuming 'downwards' is a typo.

✓ Recognize it as the current, active British spelling.

Why: Some Americans assume it's incorrect, but it is entirely modern and standard in the UK today.

Confusing 'downward' with 'downfall'.

✓ Keep them distinct.

Why: 'Downward' refers to physical or metaphorical direction, while 'downfall' refers to a sudden collapse or ruin.

Using 'downward' for a British children's book.

✓ Use 'downwards' for UK adverbs.

Why: British publishers strictly enforce regional spelling and grammar standards, especially in educational materials for kids.

Forgetting that Canada usually aligns with the US.

✓ Use 'downward' for Canadian audiences.

Why: Despite being in the Commonwealth, Canadian English heavily favors American spellings for directional adverbs.

Confusing the direction with the noun 'down'.

✓ Keep 'downward/downwards' separate from 'down' (the feather).

Why: 'Downward' is a direction; 'down' is also a bird feather, completely unrelated in meaning.

Writing for an International Audience

How to handle the split when writing globally.

If you are writing a blog, book, or manual for a global audience, you must pick a primary English standard. Most international organizations choose either US or UK English as their default and stick to it.

Pro Tip: Because American media dominates globally, many ESL learners are more familiar with "downward." However, if your organization is based in Europe or the Commonwealth, "downwards" is the expected standard for adverbs.

Memory Tip

An easy way to remember which spelling belongs to which country.

If you struggle to remember the difference, use this simple association trick:

America = Downward

United Kingdom = Downwards

Notice the extra 's'. The United Kingdom often prefers an extra 's' on their directional adverbs (towards, backwards, downwards), while America drops the 's'. Think of the extra 's' as representing 'Standard British Spelling'.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions.

Are 'downward' and 'downwards' pronounced the same way?

They are pronounced almost identically, except the British version adds a soft 'z' sound at the end. 'Downward' is two syllables (DOWN-ward), and 'downwards' is two syllables (DOWN-wards).

Why does America use 'downward' instead of 'downwards'?

In the early 19th century, Noah Webster sought to simplify American spelling. Dropping the adverbial 's' in words like 'downward', 'toward', and 'backward' was part of this movement to streamline the language.

Is 'downwards' ever used in the United States?

It is very rare in modern American English. 'Downward' is the undisputed standard for both adjectives and adverbs in the US today.

What about Canada and Australia? Which spelling do they use?

Canada generally follows the American spelling ('downward'). Australia and New Zealand follow British English and use 'downwards' for adverbs.

Is 'down' an acceptable abbreviation for both words?

While 'down' conveys the same direction, it is a separate word rather than a direct abbreviation. Both 'downward' and 'downwards' mean 'toward a lower position.'

Which spelling is older, 'downward' or 'downwards'?

'Downward' is the older spelling, originating from Old English 'adūnweard'. The adverbial 's' was added later in Middle English, which British English retained.

Should I use 'downward' or 'downwards' in academic writing?

You should match the spelling to the regional standard of your audience or publisher. American journals use 'downward' for both roles. UK journals use 'downward' as an adjective and 'downwards' as an adverb.

What is the suffix '-ward' derived from?

The suffix '-ward' comes from Old English '-weard', meaning 'directed toward' a specific place or direction.

Are there other words that follow this 'ward' vs 'wards' pattern?

Yes, many directional words follow this split, such as toward/towards, upward/upwards, forward/forwards, and backward/backwards.

Which word is more commonly used globally today?

Because of the dominance of American media and technology, 'downward' is recognized globally. However, 'downwards' remains the correct adverbial standard in formal British, Australian, and New Zealand English.