Downhill
/ˈdaʊnˌhɪl/
Definitions
4 meaningsSloping or moving downwards.
/ˈdaʊnˌhɪl/
Sloping downwards
The cyclists enjoyed the fast downhill ride.
💡 Simply: Imagine a slide at a playground. The part where you go down is 'downhill'! It's the part that goes down, down, down!
👶 For kids: Going down, like sliding down a slide!
More Examples
We walked on the downhill path with ease.
How It's Used
"The downhill ski race is a test of speed and agility."
"The path is a gentle downhill slope."
In a downward direction.
/ˈdaʊnˌhɪl/
Towards a lower point
The sled went downhill quickly.
💡 Simply: Imagine a ball starting to roll down a hill. 'Downhill' means it's moving in that downward direction!
👶 For kids: Moving down, like a ball rolling down a slide!
More Examples
They rolled the barrels downhill to the loading dock.
How It's Used
"The car rolled downhill."
A downward slope or part of a route.
/ˈdaʊnˌhɪl/
A slope that goes downwards
The race course included a steep downhill section.
💡 Simply: That part of the ski slope or the road that goes down? That's the 'downhill'!
👶 For kids: The slidy-down part of a hill!
More Examples
We had to walk the downhill very slowly because of the ice.
How It's Used
"The skier prepared for the challenging downhill."
Deteriorating; getting worse.
/ˈdaʊnˌhɪl/
Progressing negatively
His health went downhill after the accident.
💡 Simply: Imagine things starting to go wrong in a situation, like a relationship that's getting worse. That situation can be called 'downhill'!
👶 For kids: When things start going bad and get worse and worse!
More Examples
Their business went downhill when they lost their biggest client.
The project went downhill after the team's budget was cut.
How It's Used
"After the incident, the relationship went downhill."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
go downhill
To worsen; to deteriorate
"The company's performance went downhill after the change in management."
From Old English *dūnhyll*, a combination of "dūn" (down) and "hyll" (hill). The term literally describes the direction or slope of a hill.
The term 'downhill' has been used since the early 17th century, initially referring to literal downward slopes. Its figurative usage evolved later.