down·hill
ˌdau̇n-ˈhil 
1
: toward the bottom of a hill
2
: toward a worsened or inferior state or level
—used especially in the phrase go downhill
down·hill
ˈdau̇n-ˌhil
1
: a descending slope
2
a
: the sport of skiing on downhill trails
—often used attributively
b
: a skiing race against time down a trail
finished second in the downhill
down·hill
ˈdau̇n-ˌhil
1
: not difficult : easy
after that problem the rest was downhill
2
: sloping downhill
3
: closer to the bottom of an incline
your downhill ski
4
: progressively worse
5
American football
: relating to, employing, or being a style of running in which a ballcarrier moves powerfully forward into the line of scrimmage and down the field toward the opponent's end zone without a lot of movement toward the sidelines to avoid tacklers
a downhill runner
The Tigers use their tight ends as blockers. They're more suited to an assertive, downhill running game now.—
Bernie Miklasz
Bernie MiklaszExamples of downhill in a Sentence
Adverb
It is easier to ride a bike downhill than uphill.
Her career is heading downhill.
After his divorce, he went downhill fast.
The service has gone downhill under the new owner.
Noun
most runners will have their best splits on the downhills
Adjective
The second half of the hike is mostly downhill.
The worst part is over. It's all downhill from here.
The first part of the movie was pretty good, but after that it was all downhill.
His career has been all downhill in recent years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew Dampf, Denver Post, 25 Dec. 2025
Dry plus cold plus maybe some speedy downhill means your lips are likely to get chapped.
—Jessica Campbell-Salley, Outside, 21 Dec. 2025
James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Of course, other American skiers in the downhill could still tie Vonn by winning a World Cup, or even surpass her by winning two.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 12 Dec. 2025
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Dec. 2025
In doing so, Vonn became the oldest skier, man or woman, to ever win a downhill World Cup.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downhill
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Adverb
The team combined involves one racer competing in a downhill run and then a teammate competing in a slalom run — with the times added together to determine the results.
—Andrew Dampf, Denver Post, 25 Dec. 2025
Dry plus cold plus maybe some speedy downhill means your lips are likely to get chapped.
—Jessica Campbell-Salley, Outside, 21 Dec. 2025
Noun
When Utah’s Jackson Spencer, a senior at Herriman High School, made his move at the top of the downhill, Mantecon stayed composed and refused to let the race slip away.
—James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Of course, other American skiers in the downhill could still tie Vonn by winning a World Cup, or even surpass her by winning two.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Competing at a high level is no longer a rarity for over-40 athletes, with Tom Brady, LeBron James and even downhill skier Lindsey Vonn all remaining world-class well after having exited their prime.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Dec. 2025
In doing so, Vonn became the oldest skier, man or woman, to ever win a downhill World Cup.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downhill
Cite this Entry
“Downhill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downhill. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
downhill
1 of 3 adverb
down·hill
ˌdau̇n-ˈhil
1
: toward the bottom of a hill
sleds speeding downhill
2
: toward a worsened or lower state or level
her health went downhill quickly
downhill
2 of 3 adjective
down·hill
ˈdau̇n-ˌhil
: sloping downhill
downhill
3 of 3 noun
down·hill
-ˌhil
1
: the sport of skiing on downhill trails
downhill skiing
2
: a skiing race against time down a trail
finished second in the downhill
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