Downturn
'daʊntɜːrn
Definitions
2 meaningsA decline or reduction in economic activity, prosperity, or performance; a period of difficulty.
'daʊntɜːrn
A decline or worsening, especially in business or the economy.
The country is facing a severe economic downturn.
💡 Simply: Imagine the prices at your favorite store went down, and then a few other things like wages, too. A downturn is when things take a turn for the worse, like a downward slide.
👶 For kids: When things get worse, like when the store sells less toys.
More Examples
The downturn in the housing market affected many families.
Businesses are preparing for a potential downturn.
How It's Used
"The economic downturn caused a decline in consumer spending."
"The company experienced a downturn in profits last quarter."
A decline in someone's emotional state or mood.
'daʊntɜːrn
A decline in someone's mood or emotions.
His personal life experienced a downturn after the divorce.
💡 Simply: Imagine feeling really happy, and then suddenly feeling sad or upset. That dip in your feelings is a kind of downturn.
👶 For kids: When you feel sad after being happy.
More Examples
A period of grief led to an emotional downturn.
The change of season brought a downturn in her mood.
How It's Used
"She experienced a downturn after receiving the bad news."
From 'down' + 'turn,' reflecting a downward trend or change. The word emerged in the 19th century to describe a decline in business or economic activity.
The term 'downturn' became increasingly common during periods of economic instability, especially in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Memory tip
Imagine a graph showing a steep drop; that's a downturn.