noun

downtown

DOWN-town

noun

A city's central business and shopping district.

"We grabbed lunch downtown near the courthouse."

"Traffic downtown is always heavy at rush hour."

adj

Located in or relating to the central business district.

"They rented a downtown apartment with a view of the river."

adv

Toward or in the central business district.

"She works downtown but lives in the suburbs."

How to Use Downtown

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe busy central part of a city, usually full of shops, offices, and businesses.

UK vs US

Mainly an American and Canadian term; British English tends to say "the city centre" or "town centre" instead.

Common pairings

downtown area go downtown downtown traffic

Word Forms

further downtown comparative, farther downtown comparative, more downtown comparative, further downtown comparative, farther downtown comparative, more downtown comparative, downtowns plural, furthest downtown superlative, farthest downtown superlative, most downtown superlative, furthest downtown superlative, farthest downtown superlative, most downtown superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

We grabbed lunch _____ near the courthouse.

Etymology

From down + town, originally describing the lower, older part of a city (as in Manhattan).