downer

IPA/ˈdaʊnə(r)/
KK[dˈaʊnɚ]IPA/ˈdaʊnər/

downer — noun

  • downersingular
  • downersplural

1. a situation, piece of news, or experience that causes you to feel disappointed,

1.名詞B2
釋義

a situation, piece of news, or experience that causes you to feel disappointed, sad, or let down

例句

Missing the last train home was a real downer for William and his friends.

downer + for + person/group — typical pattern

The news that the school trip was cancelled was a total downer for the students.

同義詞
  • disappointment

    broader and more neutral in tone

  • let-down

    emphasises broken expectations after anticipation

  • bummer

    even more casual slang, similar register to 'downer'

反義詞
  • pick-me-up

    something that makes you feel better; informal

  • bright spot

    a positive moment in an otherwise difficult situation

文法句型

a (real/total/big) downer for + [someone]

用法筆記

Commonly appears with intensifiers such as 'real', 'total', or 'big'. Most often used in casual spoken English rather than formal writing.

常見錯誤

❌The news was very downer.
✅The news was a real downer.
💡'downer' is a countable noun and must be used with a determiner like 'a' or 'the'.
❌The rainy weather is a downer for going outside.
✅The rainy weather is a downer if you want to go outside.
💡'downer' describes a situation itself, not an obstacle to an activity.

2. a type of drug, such as a sedative or barbiturate, that slows brain activity and

2.名詞C1
釋義

a type of drug, such as a sedative or barbiturate, that slows brain activity and makes you feel relaxed, calm, or sleepy

例句

The doctor warned Hassan not to mix the downer pills with alcohol.

informal term for sedative drugs; often contrasted with 'uppers' (stimulants)

Police found a small amount of downers during the search of the apartment.

同義詞
  • sedative

    formal medical term; neutral register

  • tranquilizer

    slightly dated but still understood

  • depressant

    broader technical term covering all drugs that slow the central nervous system

  • barbiturate

    specific class of depressant drugs, more clinical

反義詞
  • upper

    informal term for a stimulant drug

  • stimulant

    a drug that increases activity in the body or mind

文法句型

(take / be on) downers

用法筆記

Informal slang term rarely used in clinical or medical writing. Usually appears in the plural ('downers') when referring to the category of depressant drugs. The opposite category is called 'uppers' (stimulant drugs).

常見錯誤

❌He took a downer to help him wake up early.
✅He took a downer to help him sleep.
💡downers make you calm or sleepy, not alert.
❌The doctor prescribed a downer for her anxiety.' (too informal for medical context)
✅The doctor prescribed a sedative for her anxiety.
💡'downer' is too casual for professional medical communication.