Downer: meaning, definitions and examples

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downer

 

[ ˈdaʊ.nər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

general feeling

A downer is something that causes a feeling of sadness, disappointment, or discouragement. It can refer to a situation or event that dampens spirits or mood. This term can also describe a depressant drug that reduces excitement or energy.

Synonyms

buzzkill, disappointment, drag, spoiler

Examples of usage

  • Losing the game was a real downer for the team.
  • The news about the storm was a downer for our picnic plans.
  • She felt a downer after hearing about her friend's illness.

Translations

Translations of the word "downer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 deprimente

🇮🇳 निराशाजनक

🇩🇪 Depression

🇮🇩 menyedihkan

🇺🇦 пригнічений

🇵🇱 przygnębiający

🇯🇵 落ち込むもの

🇫🇷 déprimant

🇪🇸 deprimente

🇹🇷 moral bozucu

🇰🇷 우울한

🇸🇦 محبط

🇨🇿 deprimující

🇸🇰 deprimujúci

🇨🇳 令人沮丧的

🇸🇮 depresiven

🇮🇸 þunglyndur

🇰🇿 қапаланған

🇬🇪 დეპრესიული

🇦🇿 depressiv

🇲🇽 deprimente

Word origin

The term 'downer' originated in the early 20th century as a slang term in American English. Initially, it referred to depressant drugs used in the context of recreational drug use, notably in relation to the effects of such substances. Over time, the usage of 'downer' expanded beyond the realm of drugs, coming to describe any situation, event, or piece of news that causes disappointment or lowers one's mood. Its etymology relates to the adjective 'down,' suggesting a decrease in emotional or mental elevation, reflecting feelings of sadness or discouragement. Through its evolution, the word has also found its way into informal conversations, where it serves as a way to express the negative impact that certain experiences can have on one's overall happiness.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,247, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.