Below vs. Down — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 27, 2024
Below refers to a lower spatial position relative to a reference point, while down implies movement from a higher to a lower position.
Difference Between Below and Down
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Below" is used to denote something that is at a lower level or position in relation to something else, particularly in vertical arrangements. On the other hand, "down" describes a direction or motion towards a lower place or position, often involving physical movement.
In terms of spatial relationship, "below" is often static, suggesting a fixed position beneath or underneath another object. Whereas "down" can suggest dynamics, as it involves the action of moving lower, such as "going down the stairs."
When considering usage in language, "below" can be used in contexts such as in documents or images where one item is under another. On the other hand, "down" is frequently used to describe movement in instructions or descriptions, like in navigation.
Regarding temperature and level, "below" is commonly used to indicate something being lower than a standard or expected point, as in "below freezing." Conversely, "down" is used to denote reduction, such as "turn the volume down."
In expressions and idioms, "below" might appear in contexts emphasizing subordination or inferiority, such as "below average." Meanwhile, "down" can be found in phrases that express depression or decrease, like "feeling down."
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Comparison Chart
Definition
At a lower level or layer
Towards a lower position
Movement
None (static position)
Implies motion
Common Uses
Below the surface, below zero
Going down, down the road
Expression in Speech
Used in physical and metaphorical sense
Primarily used in physical sense
Example Sentences
Below the horizon, below expectations
Walk down the hill, prices have gone down
Compare with Definitions
Below
Lower than in rank or status.
An officer ranks below a general.
Down
From a higher to a lower point of.
Rolling down a hill.
Below
Under the surface of.
Scuba divers go below the water's surface.
Down
Toward a worse or more depressed state.
The stock market is down.
Below
Not worthy of.
Such behavior is below his usual standards.
Down
At a lower part or edge of.
Down the street from here.
Below
Less than, in terms of number or degree.
Temperatures dropped below zero last night.
Down
Reducing or lowering.
Please turn the volume down.
Below
In or to a lower place; beneath.
Down
Used to emphasize activity or movement.
Put the book down.
Below
On or to a lower floor; downstairs.
Down
From a higher to a lower place or position
Hiked down from the peak.
Below
(Nautical) On or to a lower deck.
Down
Toward, to, or on the ground, floor, or bottom
Tripped and fell down.
Below
In a later part of a given text
Figures quoted below.
Down
Downstairs
Let's go down and get some breakfast.
Below
Farther down, as along a slope or valley.
Down
In or into a sitting, kneeling, or reclining position
Knelt down.
Lying down.
Below
In or to hell or Hades.
Down
In or into one's stomach
Had trouble keeping his food down.
Washed down the pizza with soda.
Below
On the earth.
Down
In writing or a record
The reporter wrote the statement down. He's down as the best goal-scorer of his time.
Below
In a lower rank or class.
Down
In partial payment at the time of purchase
Put $250 down on the new refrigerator.
Below
Below zero in temperature
40° below.
Down
Into or toward a secure position
Nailed down the boards.
Bolted the furniture down.
Below
Underneath; beneath.
Down
Toward or in the south; southward
Flew down to Florida.
Below
Lower than, as on a graduated scale.
Down
Away from a place considered central or a center of activity, such as a city or town
Down on the farm.
Sent down to work at the firm's regional office.
Below
Downstream of
Launched the canoe just below the bridge.
Down
To a specific location or source
Tracking a rumor down.
Below
South of
Guatemala is below Mexico.
Down
Toward or at a low or lower point on a scale
From the biggest down to the smallest.
Below
Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of
Such petty behavior is below me.
Down
From earlier times or people
Tradition handed down from one generation to the next.
Below
Lower in spatial position than.
The treasure is buried two meters below the surface.
The marmalade is on the shelf below the bread.
Down
To or at a lower intensity or amount
Turned the volume down.
Prices going down.
Below
Lower than in value, price, rank, concentration, etc.
The temperature is below zero.
Liverpool are below Manchester City in the Premier League.
Down
To or in a reduced or concentrated form
Pared the term paper down to five pages.
Below
Downstream of.
The River Thames is tidal below Teddington Lock.
Down
To or in a quiescent or subdued state
Calmed down.
Below
South of.
Sudan is below Egypt.
Down
In or into an inactive or inoperative state
The generators went down at midnight.
Below
Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of; beneath.
Such petty behavior is below me.
Down
To or into a lower or inferior condition, as of subjection, defeat, or disgrace
People kept down for decades.
Below
(stage directions) Downstage of.
Down
To an extreme degree; heavily
Worn down by worry.
Below
In or to a lower place.
The town is situated on a hillside, with a river running below.
He was pulled below by a sea monster.
Down
Seriously or vigorously
Get down to the project at hand.
Below
On or to a lower storey.
She lives below, on the ground floor.
Down
Moving or directed downward
A down elevator.
Below
(nautical) On or to a lower deck, especially as relative to the main deck.
The captain went below to inspect the engine.
The landlubbers lying down below
Down
Low or lower
Stock prices were down today.
Below
Later in the same text.
This point is explained below.
By their execution hereof, the Parties incur a legal obligation to pass consideration under this Loan Contract as is set forth below.
Down
Reduced; diminished
The wind is down.
Below
(of a temperature) Below zero.
It was forty degrees below.
Down
Sports & Games Trailing an opponent
A team down 20 points in the last quarter.
Down two pawns in chess.
Below
Under, or lower in place; beneath not so high; as, below the moon; below the knee.
Down
Afflicted; sick
She's down with a bad cold.
Below
Inferior to in rank, excellence, dignity, value, amount, price, etc.; lower in quality.
Down
Malfunctioning or not operating, especially temporarily
The computer is down.
Below
Unworthy of; unbefitting; beneath.
They beheld, with a just loathing and disdain, . . . how below all history the persons and their actions were.
Who thinks no fact below his regard.
Down
Low in spirits; depressed
Feeling down today.
Below
In a lower place, with respect to any object; in a lower room; beneath.
Lord Marmion waits below.
Down
Not in play and at the place where offensive forward progress has stopped
The ball is down on the 50-yard line.
Below
On the earth, as opposed to the heavens.
The fairest child of Jove below.
Down
Not permitted to advance further in the play because forward progress has stopped, especially by being tackled. Used of a ball carrier.
Below
In court or tribunal of inferior jurisdiction; as, at the trial below.
Down
(Baseball) Retired; out
Two down in the last of the ninth.
Below
In some part or page following.
Down
Completed; done
Three exams down, two to go.
Below
In or to a place that is lower
Down
Learned or known perfectly
Had the algebra problems down.
Below
At a later place;
See below
Down
In a descending direction along, upon, into, or through
Rolled down the hill.
Floating down the river.
Flowed down the pipe.
Below
(in writing) see below;
Vide infra
Down
In a sequential or temporal sequence
Knowledge passed down the ages.
Below
On a floor below;
The tenants live downstairs
Down
Along the course of
Walking down the street.
Down
In or at
The cans are stored down cellar.
Down
A downward movement; descent
The downs of the rollercoaster ride.
Down
A feeling of sadness or depression
His frequent downs made him hard to live with.
Down
A misfortune or difficulty
Went through a lot of ups and downs before succeeding.
Down
(Football) Any of a series of four plays in American football or three plays in Canadian football during which a team must advance at least ten yards to retain possession of the ball.
Down
(Botany) A covering of soft, short hairs, as on some leaves or fruit.
Down
A soft, silky, or feathery substance, such as the first growth of a human beard.
Down
Often downs An expanse of rolling upland, often treeless, grassy, and used for grazing.
Down
Often Down Any of several breeds of sheep having short wool, originally bred in the Downs of southern England.
Down
To bring, put, strike, or throw down
Downed his opponent in the first round.
Down
To swallow hastily; gulp
Downed the glass of water.
Down
(Football) To put (the ball) out of play by touching it to the ground or stepping out of bounds.
Down
To go or come down; descend.
Down
(comparable) From a higher position to a lower one; downwards.
The cat jumped down from the table.
Down
(comparable) At a lower or further place or position along a set path.
His place is farther down the road.
The company was well down the path to bankruptcy.
Down
As a down payment.
You can have it, no money down.
Down
On paper (or in a durable record).
You need to write down what happened while it's still fresh in your mind.
Down
To the south (as south is at the bottom of typical maps).
I went down to Miami for a conference.
Down
Away from the city (regardless of direction).
He went down to Cavan.
Down on the farm
Down country
Down
At or towards any place that is visualised as 'down' by virtue of local features or local convention, or arbitrarily, irrespective of direction or elevation change.
She lives down by the park.
Down
(sport) Towards the opponent's side (in ball-sports).
Down
Into a state of non-operation.
The computer has been shut down.
They closed the shop down.
Down
To a subordinate or less prestigious position or rank.
Smith was sent down to the minors to work on his batting.
After the incident, Kelly went down to Second Lieutenant.
Down
(rail transport) In the direction leading away from the principal terminus, away from milepost zero.
Down
Get down.
Down, boy!
Down
Away from Oxford or Cambridge.
He's gone back down to Newcastle for Christmas.
Down
From a remoter or higher antiquity.
These traditions have been handed down over generations.
Down
So as to lessen quantity, level or intensity.
You need to tone down the rhetoric.
Please turn the music down!
Down
So as to reduce size, weight or volume.
Trim the stick down to a length of about twelve inches.
Thanks to my strict diet, I've slimmed down to eleven stone.
Boil the mixture down to a syrupy consistency.
Down
From less to greater detail.
This spreadsheet lets you drill down to daily or even hourly sales figures.
Down
So as to secure or compress something to the floor, ground, or other (usually horizontal) surface.
We need to nail down this carpet so people don't keep tripping over it.
Down
Used with verbs to indicate that the action of the verb was carried to some state of completion, permanence, or success rather than being of indefinite duration.
He closed operations. / He closed down operations.
He chased answers. / He chased down answers.
Down
Forward, straight ahead.
At the first intersection turn left and walk down, then turn right.
Down
From the higher end to the lower of.
The ball rolled down the hill.
Down
From north to south of.
We sailed down the eastern seaboard.
Down
From one end to another of (in any direction); along.
The bus went down the street.
They walked down the beach holding hands.
Down
(colloquial) At (a given place that is seen as removed from one's present location or other point of reference).
I'll see you later down the pub.
Down
Facing downwards.
Turn the cloth over so that the patterned side is down.
Down
At a lower level than before.
The stock market is down.
Prices are down.
Down
(informal) Sad, unhappy, depressed, feeling low.
Mary seems very down since she split up with her boyfriend.
Down
Sick, wounded, or damaged:
Down
(normally in the combination 'down with') Sick or ill.
He is down with the flu.
Down
Wounded and unable to move normally, or killed.
We have an officer down outside the suspect's house.
There are three soldiers down and one walking wounded.
Down
Mechanically failed, collided, shot down, or otherwise suddenly unable to fly.
We have a chopper down near the river.
Down
(not comparable) Inoperable; out of order; out of service.
The system is down.
Down
Having a lower score than an opponent.
They are down by 3–0 with just 5 minutes to play.
He was down by a bishop and a pawn after 15 moves.
At 5–1 down, she produced a great comeback to win the set on a tiebreak.
Down
Out.
Two down and one to go in the bottom of the ninth.
Down
Negative about; hostile to.
Ever since Carter, I've been down on Democrats.
Down
Comfortable with, accepting of.
He's chill enough; he'd probably be totally down with it.
Are you down to hang out at the mall, Jamal?
As long as you're down with helping me pick a phone, Tyrone.
Down
Accepted, respected, or loyally participating in the (thug) community.
What you mean, 'No'? Man, I thought you was down.
Down
Finished (of a task); defeated or dealt with (of an opponent or obstacle); elapsed (of time). Often coupled with to go (remaining).
Two down and three to go.
Ten minutes down and nothing's happened yet.
Down
Thoroughly practiced, learned or memorised; mastered. Compare down pat.
It's two weeks until opening night and our lines are still not down yet.
Down
(obsolete) Downright; absolute; positive.
Down
(of a tree, limb, etc) Fallen or felled.
Down
(transitive) To knock (someone or something) down; to cause to come down; to fell.
The storm downed several old trees along the highway.
A single rifle shot downed the mighty beast.
Down
(transitive) Specifically, to cause (something in the air) to fall to the ground; to bring down (with a missile etc.).
The helicopter was downed by a surface-to-air missile.
Down
(transitive) To lower; to put (something) down.
The bell rang for lunch, and the workers downed their tools.
Down
To defeat; to overpower.
Down
To disparage; to put down.
Down
To go or come down; to descend.
Down
To drink or swallow, especially without stopping before the vessel containing the liquid is empty.
He downed an ale and ordered another.
Down
To sink (a ball) into a hole or pocket.
He downed two balls on the break.
Down
(transitive) To cover, ornament, line, or stuff with down.
Down
A negative aspect; a downer, a downside.
I love almost everything about my job. The only down is that I can't take Saturdays off.
Down
(dated) A grudge (on someone).
Down
An act of swallowing an entire drink at once.
Down
(American football) A single play, from the time the ball is snapped (the start) to the time the whistle is blown (the end) when the ball is down, or is downed.
I bet after the third down, the kicker will replace the quarterback on the field.
Down
(crosswords) A clue whose solution runs vertically in the grid.
I haven't solved 12 or 13 across, but I've got most of the downs.
Down
A downstairs room of a two-story house.
She lives in a two-up two-down.
Down
Down payment.
Down
The lightest quark with a charge number of −3.
Down
(especially southern England) A hill, especially a chalk hill; rolling grassland
We went for a walk over the downs.
The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England.
Down
A field, especially one used for horse racing.
Down
A tract of poor, sandy, undulating or hilly land near the sea, covered with fine turf which serves chiefly for the grazing of sheep.
Down
Soft, fluffy immature feathers which grow on young birds. Used as insulating material in duvets, sleeping bags and jackets.
Down
(botany) The pubescence of plants; the hairy crown or envelope of the seeds of certain plants, such as the thistle.
Down
The soft hair of the face when beginning to appear.
Down
That which is made of down, as a bed or pillow; that which affords ease and repose, like a bed of down.
Down
Fine, soft, hairy outgrowth from the skin or surface of animals or plants, not matted and fleecy like wool
And the first down begins to shade his face.
Down
That which is made of down, as a bed or pillow; that which affords ease and repose, like a bed of down
When in the down I sink my head,Sleep, Death's twin brother, times my breath.
Thou bosom softness, down of all my cares!
Down
A tract of poor, sandy, undulating or hilly land near the sea, covered with fine turf which serves chiefly for the grazing of sheep; - usually in the plural.
Seven thousand broad-tailed sheep grazed on his downs.
Down
A state of depression; low state; abasement.
It the downs of life too much outnumber the ups.
Down
To cover, ornament, line, or stuff with down.
Down
To cause to go down; to make descend; to put down; to overthrow, as in wrestling; hence, to subdue; to bring down.
I remember how you downed Beauclerk and Hamilton, the wits, once at our house.
Down
To go down; to descend.
Down
In the direction of gravity or toward the center of the earth; toward or in a lower place or position; below; - the opposite of up.
Down
From a higher to a lower position, literally or figuratively; in a descending direction; from the top of an ascent; from an upright position; to the ground or floor; to or into a lower or an inferior condition; as, into a state of humility, disgrace, misery, and the like; into a state of rest; - used with verbs indicating motion.
It will be rain to-night. Let it come down.
I sit me down beside the hazel grove.
And that drags down his life.
There is not a more melancholy object in the learned world than a man who has written himself down.
The French . . . shone down [i. e., outshone] the English.
Down
In a low or the lowest position, literally or figuratively; at the bottom of a descent; below the horizon; on the ground; in a condition of humility, dejection, misery, and the like; in a state of quiet.
I was down and out of breath.
The moon is down; I have not heard the clock.
He that is down needs fear no fall.
Down
From a remoter or higher antiquity.
Venerable men! you have come down to us from a former generation.
Down
From a greater to a less bulk, or from a thinner to a thicker consistence; as, to boil down in cookery, or in making decoctions.
Come down upon us with a mighty power.
Down
In a descending direction along; from a higher to a lower place upon or within; at a lower place in or on; as, down a hill; down a well.
Down
Hence: Towards the mouth of a river; towards the sea; as, to sail or swim down a stream; to sail down the sound.
Down
Downcast; as, a down look.
Down
Downright; absolute; positive; as, a down denial.
Down
Downward; going down; sloping; as, a down stroke; a down grade; a down train on a railway.
Down
Soft fine feathers
Down
(American football) a complete play to advance the football;
You have 4 downs to gain 10 yards
Down
English physician who first described Down's syndrome (1828-1896)
Down
(usually plural) a rolling treeless highland with little soil
Down
Fine soft dense hair (as the fine short hair of cattle or deer or the wool of sheep or the undercoat of certain dogs)
Down
Drink down entirely;
He downed three martinis before dinner
She killed a bottle of brandy that night
They popped a few beer after work
Down
Eat immoderately;
Some people can down a pound of meat in the course of one meal
Down
Bring down or defeat (an opponent)
Down
Shoot at and force to come down;
The enemy landed several of our aircraft
Down
Cause to come or go down;
The policeman downed the heavily armed suspect
The mugger knocked down the old lady after she refused to hand over her wallet
Down
Improve or perfect by pruning or polishing;
Refine one's style of writing
Down
Being or moving lower in position or less in some value;
Lay face down
The moon is down
Our team is down by a run
Down by a pawn
The stock market is down today
Down
Becoming progressively lower;
The down trend in the real estate market
Down
Understood perfectly;
Had his algebra problems down
Down
Extending or moving from a higher to a lower place;
The down staircase
The downward course of the stream
Down
Out;
Two down in the last of the ninth
Down
Lower than previously;
The market is depressed
Prices are down
Down
Shut;
The shades were down
Down
Cut down;
The tree is down
Down
Not functioning (temporarily or permanently);
We can't work because the computer is down
Down
Low in spirits;
Lonely and blue in a strange city
Depressed by the loss of his job
A dispirited and resigned expression on her face
Downcast after his defeat
Feeling discouraged and downhearted
Down
The fractional price paid in cash at time of purchase;
The down payment
A payment of $200 down
Down
Spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position;
Don't fall down
Rode the lift up and skied down
Prices plunged downward
Down
Away from a more central or a more northerly place;
Was sent down to work at the regional office
Worked down on the farm
Came down for the wedding
Flew down to Florida
Down
Paid in cash at time of purchase;
Put ten dollars down on the necklace
Down
From an earlier time;
The story was passed down from father to son
Down
To a lower intensity;
He slowly phased down the light until the stage was completely black
Down
In an inactive or inoperative state;
The factory went down during the strike
The computer went down again
Common Curiosities
Is "below" ever used to describe quality or status?
Yes, "below" can describe something as being of lower quality or lesser status, such as "below standard" or "below the expected performance."
Can "down" be used to indicate direction only, without movement?
Typically, "down" suggests movement, but it can describe orientation, like in "the path leads down the valley," where movement is implied but not explicitly stated.
What scenarios typically call for the use of "below"?
"Below" is often used when referring to a fixed position under something else, like in "the apartment below ours" or in measurements, such as "below average."
When should I use "down" instead of "below"?
Use "down" when describing a movement from a higher to a lower location, such as "walking down the stairs," or when indicating a decrease, like "turning the volume down."
How is "down" used in technology and computing?
In technology, "down" can mean non-operational or not functioning, as in "the system is down," indicating it is not working.
Does "below" have any nautical uses?
Yes, in nautical contexts, "below" is used to describe locations lower in the ship, such as "below deck."
How can "below" enhance academic or formal writing?
"Below" is useful in academic contexts for clarity and precision in descriptions, such as "refer to the information below" or in citing figures and tables "shown below."
What is a common mistake people make when using "down"?
A common mistake is using "down" when no movement is involved, thereby confusing it with "below" which is more static.
What expressions commonly include "down"?
Expressions with "down" include "down to earth," "down in the dumps," and "down and out," each conveying different metaphoric senses.
Is "down" used in any idiomatic ways that "below" is not?
Yes, "down" appears in idioms like "down to the wire" and "down the rabbit hole," which do not have equivalents with "below."
What is the impact of using "down" in instructions?
Using "down" in instructions often clarifies the action required, making it useful for precise directives, such as "scroll down" or "step down."
Can "below" imply inferiority in certain contexts?
Yes, "below" can suggest inferiority or a lesser extent in certain social or hierarchical contexts, such as "below one’s dignity."
Are there instances where "below" and "down" are used together?
Yes, in phrases like "look down below," both words are used together to emphasize a direction followed by a specific position.
How does context change the use of "below" in scientific versus everyday language?
In scientific language, "below" is used more rigorously to denote specific, quantifiable relations, such as temperatures or measurements, while in everyday language, it might simply suggest a lower position or level.
How do modifiers affect the meaning of "down" and "below"?
Modifiers can intensify or clarify the spatial or figurative sense, such as "far below" or "straight down," affecting the degree or direction emphasized.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
