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Downtown - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Downtown refers to the central or main business area of a city, often bustling with shops, offices, and entertainment venues. It is typically the busiest and most urban part of a town.

downtown

/ˈdaʊnˌtaʊn/ /ˈdaʊnˌtaʊn/

Definition:

The central or lower part of a city, often the business or commercial district.

Synonyms:

city center, central business district, urban core, inner city

Part of Speech:

noun, adjective, adverb

Antonyms:

uptown, suburbs

Common Collocations:

downtown area, downtown restaurant, downtown traffic, downtown shopping, downtown nightlife

Derivatives:

downtowner, downtownish

Usage Tips:

Use "downtown" to refer to a city's central area; it can function as a noun ("I work downtown"), adjective ("a downtown café"), or adverb ("go downtown").

Common Phrases:

go downtown, live downtown, downtown hustle and bustle

Etymology:

Originated in 19th-century America from "down" (toward the lower part) + "town," referring to lower Manhattan in New York City.

Examples:

  • 1. Let’s meet at the café downtown after work.
  • 2. The downtown skyline looks stunning at night.
  • 3. She prefers living downtown for its vibrant culture.
  • 4. Parking is always difficult in the busy downtown area.

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