downplay–Dr Vocabulary (D Words) – Meanings & Synonyms

downplay

CommunicationC1

Meaning: to make something seem less important.

Part of speech: verb

Example: He tried to downplay the significance of the error.

Category: Communication

Synonyms: minimize

Antonyms: emphasize

downpour

WeatherB1

Meaning: a heavy rain.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The downpour flooded the streets.

Category: Weather

Synonyms: rainstorm

downright

IntensityC2

Meaning: completely or very.

Part of speech: adverb

Example: It was downright cold outside.

Category: Intensity

Synonyms: absolutely

down-river

NatureC2

Meaning: in the direction of the flow of a river.

Part of speech: adverb

Example: We traveled down-river to reach the campsite.

Category: Nature › Rivers

Synonyms: downstream

downs

NatureC2

Meaning: a hilly area or upland.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The downs are beautiful in the spring.

Category: Nature › Geography

Synonyms: hills

downs syndrome

MedicineC2

Meaning: a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Children with Down syndrome may have developmental delays.

Category: Medicine › Genetics

Synonyms: trisomy 21

downscale

BusinessC1

Meaning: to reduce in size or quality.

Part of speech: verb

Example: The company decided to downscale its operations.

Category: Business › Management

Synonyms: reduce

Antonyms: upscale

downshift

TransportationC2

Meaning: to change to a lower gear in a vehicle.

Part of speech: verb

Example: He had to downshift to navigate the steep hill.

Category: Transportation › Driving

Synonyms: shift down

downside

BusinessB2

Meaning: a disadvantage or negative aspect.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The downside of the job is the long hours.

Category: Business › Management

Synonyms: disadvantage

Antonyms: advantage

downsize

BusinessB1

Meaning: to reduce in size or number.

Part of speech: verb

Example: The company plans to downsize its workforce.

Category: Business › Management

Synonyms: reduce

Antonyms: expand

downspout

ConstructionB2

Meaning: a pipe that carries rainwater from the roof to the ground.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The downspout was blocked by debris.

Category: Construction › Plumbing

Synonyms: drainpipe

downstage

ArtsC2

Meaning: toward the front of the stage in a theater.

Part of speech: adverb

Example: The actor moved downstage to address the audience.

Category: Arts › Theater

Synonyms: front stage

downstairs

DirectionA1

Meaning: on a lower floor of a building.

Part of speech: adverb

Example: The kitchen is located downstairs.

Category: Direction

Synonyms: below

Antonyms: upstairs

downstream

NatureB2

Meaning: in the direction of the current of a river.

Part of speech: adverb

Example: We floated downstream on the river.

Category: Nature › Rivers

Synonyms: downriver

downswing

EconomicsC2

Meaning: a decline or decrease in something.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The economy is experiencing a downswing.

Category: Economics

Synonyms: decline

Antonyms: upswing

downtime

TechnologyB2

Meaning: a period when a system is not operational.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The server will have downtime for maintenance.

Category: Technology › Computing

Synonyms: break

down-to-earth

PersonalityB2

Meaning: practical and realistic.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: She has a down-to-earth attitude toward life.

Category: Personality

Synonyms: practical

Antonyms: unrealistic

downtown

GeographyA1

Meaning: the central business district of a city.

Part of speech: noun

Example: They went shopping downtown.

Category: Geography › Urban Areas

Synonyms: city center

downtrend

BusinessC1

Meaning: a general decline in a market or economy.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The stock market is showing a downtrend.

Category: Business › Finance

Synonyms: decline

Antonyms: uptrend

downtrodden

SocietyC2

Meaning: oppressed or treated badly by those in power.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The downtrodden workers demanded better conditions.

Category: Society › Human Rights

Synonyms: oppressed

Antonyms: privileged

downturn

EconomicsB2

Meaning: a decline in economic, business, or market conditions.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The downturn in sales affected the company's profits.

Category: Economics

Synonyms: decline

Antonyms: upturn

downward

DirectionB1

Meaning: toward a lower place or position.

Part of speech: adverb

Example: The road slopes downward.

Category: Direction

Synonyms: down

Antonyms: upward

downwards

DirectionB1

Meaning: toward a lower place or position.

Part of speech: adverb

Example: The path leads downwards to the river.

Category: Direction

Synonyms: downward

downwind

NatureC2

Meaning: in the direction that the wind is blowing.

Part of speech: adverb

Example: We set up camp downwind from the fire.

Category: Nature › Weather

Synonyms: leeward

downy

NatureC2

Meaning: soft and fluffy, like down feathers.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: The downy blanket kept her warm.

Category: Nature › Textures

Synonyms: fluffy

dowry

SocietyC2

Meaning: property or money brought by a bride to her husband at marriage.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The dowry was an important part of the wedding tradition.

Category: Society › Marriage

Synonyms: bride price

dowse

ScienceC2

Meaning: to search for water or minerals using a divining rod.

Part of speech: verb

Example: He tried to dowse for water in the dry field.

Category: Science › Geology

Synonyms: divine

dowsing road

ScienceC2

Meaning: a road associated with the practice of dowsing.

Part of speech: noun

Example: They found water along the dowsing road.

Category: Science › Geology

doxology

ReligionC2

Meaning: a short hymn of praise to God.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The congregation sang a doxology at the end of the service.

Category: Religion › Worship

Synonyms: hymn

doxy

SocietyC2

Meaning: a woman, especially a mistress or lover.

Part of speech: noun

Example: He introduced her as his doxy at the party.

Category: Society › Relationships

Synonyms: mistress

doyen

SocietyC2

Meaning: the most respected or prominent person in a particular field.

Part of speech: noun

Example: He is considered the doyen of modern literature.

Category: Society › Leadership

Synonyms: leader

doyenne

SocietyC2

Meaning: the most respected or prominent woman in a particular field.

Part of speech: noun

Example: She is the doyen of fashion design.

Category: Society › Leadership

Synonyms: leader

doz

MathematicsA1

Meaning: a dozen; a group of twelve.

Part of speech: noun

Example: I bought a doz of eggs for the recipe.

Category: Mathematics › Counting

doze

HealthA1

Meaning: to sleep lightly or nap.

Part of speech: verb

Example: She likes to doze on the couch in the afternoon.

Category: Health › Sleep

Synonyms: nap

Antonyms: wake

doze off

HealthB1

Meaning: to fall asleep unintentionally.

Part of speech: verb

Example: He dozed off during the movie.

Category: Health › Sleep

Synonyms: nap

dozen

MathematicsA1

Meaning: a group of twelve items.

Part of speech: noun

Example: I bought a dozen donuts for the party.

Category: Mathematics › Counting

Synonyms: doz

dozy

HealthB1

Meaning: feeling sleepy or drowsy.

Part of speech: adjective

Example: I felt dozy after the long meeting.

Category: Health › Sleep

Synonyms: drowsy

Antonyms: alert

Dpi

TechnologyC1

Meaning: dots per inch, a measure of image resolution.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The image was saved at 300 dpi for printing.

Category: Technology › Graphics

Synonyms: resolution

DPP

LawC2

Meaning: Director of Public Prosecutions, a senior legal officer.

Part of speech: noun

Example: The DPP announced new guidelines for prosecutions.

Category: Law › Criminal Law

Dr

EducationA1

Meaning: a title used before a person's name to indicate they hold a doctorate.

Part of speech: noun

Example: Dr. Smith is a renowned scientist.

Category: Education › Titles

Synonyms: doctor

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