downtown

Everyday

1. (US, Canada) The main business and shopping area in the centre of a city or town. tree →
2. (adverb) To or in the city centre: «go downtown». tree →
3. (adjective) In or of the city centre: «downtown Toronto». tree →

In the lessons

In American and Canadian life, «downtown» is where the tall offices, big shops, theatres and stadiums are; British and Irish speakers usually say «the town centre» or «in town», and Australians «the city» or «the CBD». In stories, «heading downtown» means going into the busy centre. Phrases: «go downtown», «downtown area», «downtown Chicago».

Examples

• We took the bus downtown to see the parade. tree →
• Dad works in an office downtown. tree →
• Downtown Toronto has very tall buildings. tree →
• The downtown streets were full of shoppers. tree →
• There's a big library downtown. tree →
• (UK equivalent) We went into town to buy shoes. tree →

Note

Mostly North American. Written as one word. Opposite: «uptown» (residential, often to the north in some cities) or «the suburbs». No «a» before it when used as a place: «go downtown», not «go to a downtown».