VocabDictionary

downtown

/ˈdaʊn.taʊn/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

The central business district or main commercial center of a city or town.

Example Sentences:
  • She works in an office building right in the heart of downtown.
  • We took a walk through downtown to check out the new restaurants.
2.adjective

Relating to, situated in, or characteristic of the central business district of a city.

Example Sentences:
  • They bought a condo in the downtown area.
  • The city is experiencing a boom in downtown real estate development.
3.adverb

Toward or in the central part of a city or town.

Example Sentences:
  • Let's head downtown for dinner tonight.
  • He drove downtown to meet his colleagues for lunch.
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English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “downtown”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

First recorded in American English around the 1830s, the term originally referred to the commercial and older part of New York City (Lower Manhattan) relative to newer residential areas uptown. As American cities grew rapidly during the 19th century, 'down-town' became the standard geographical descriptor for the central business district.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of going DOWN to the center of town where all the shops and businesses are located.

Frequently Asked Questions About “downtown

1. What is the meaning of “downtown” in English?

In English, downtown (noun) is defined as: “The central business district or main commercial center of a city or town.”.

2. How do you use “downtown” in a sentence?

She works in an office building right in the heart of downtown.

3. What are English synonyms of “downtown”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “downtown”?

First recorded in American English around the 1830s, the term originally referred to the commercial and older part of New York City (Lower Manhattan) relative to newer residential areas uptown. As American cities grew rapidly during the 19th century, 'down-town' became the standard geographical descriptor for the central business district.