downbeat Meaning & Definition
What Does Downbeat Mean?
As a noun, downbeat means The accented beat at the beginning of a bar (indicated by a conductor with a downward stroke). As an adjective, it means Sad or pessimistic.
Quick Facts About Downbeat
| Part of speech | noun, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈdaʊnbiːt/ |
| Antonyms | upbeat |
| Plural | downbeats |
| Comparative / superlative | more downbeat, most downbeat |
Downbeat Definition (Noun)
- The accented beat at the beginning of a bar (indicated by a conductor with a downward stroke).
Downbeat as an Adjective
- Sad or pessimistic.
He sounded downbeat when asked about his future plans.
- Cautiously optimistic.
She carried herself with a quiet downbeat grace.
Synonyms of Downbeat
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Downbeat synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Downbeat
Downbeat in a Sentence
He sounded downbeat when asked about his future plans.
She carried herself with a quiet downbeat grace.
Word Forms & Grammar
downbeat (plural downbeats)
downbeat (comparative more downbeat, superlative most downbeat)
Words That Rhyme With Downbeat
Origin of Downbeat
Origin 1: From down + beat.
Origin 2: Earlier downbeaten, from the phrasal verb beat down
Quick Answers About Downbeat
Is downbeat a noun or an adjective?
Downbeat is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective.
What is the opposite of downbeat?
The opposite of downbeat is upbeat.
What is the plural of downbeat?
The plural of downbeat is downbeats.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of downbeat?
The comparative form is more downbeat and the superlative form is most downbeat.