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Meaning & use

downbeat

noun, adjective·Advanced

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UK/ˈdaʊnbiːt/
US/ˈdaʊnbiːt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablemusic

    The first and usually strongest beat of a bar of music, often marked by a downward motion of a conductor's hand.

    Grammar: Has a plural: the downbeats of the piece.

    Patterns

    • on the downbeat
    • land on the downbeat

    The conductor's baton dropped sharply on the downbeat.

    The drummer accents the downbeat in every bar.

    Beginners often rush and arrive before the downbeat.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Gloomy, pessimistic or deliberately restrained in mood, tone or outlook.

    Grammar: Usually comes before a noun or after be: a downbeat forecast, the mood was downbeat.

    Patterns

    • downbeat about something
    • a downbeat assessment

    The coach was downbeat about the team's chances this season.

    The ending of the film is quiet and downbeat.

    Officials gave a downbeat assessment of the talks.

Word forms

comparativemore downbeat
superlativemost downbeat
plural (noun)downbeats

Common combinations

downbeat mood
A downbeat mood hung over the office after the layoffs.
downbeat forecast
The company issued a downbeat forecast for next year.
sound downbeat
The minister sounded downbeat about the budget.
on the downbeat
The cellists all enter on the downbeat.
downbeat ending
The novel has a downbeat ending that surprised readers.

Synonyms and how they differ

pessimistic
Pessimistic describes a general expectation that things will go badly, while downbeat can also describe a subdued tone or style.
gloomy
Gloomy is stronger and more emotional, but downbeat is often a calmer, more professional word.
low-key
Low-key means restrained and not showy, without necessarily being sad or negative.

Opposites

upbeatoptimistic

Word family

upbeat noun
the weak beat before the downbeat, also an adjective meaning cheerful
beat noun
a unit of rhythm in music
downbeat adjective
gloomy or restrained in tone

Commonly confused: downbeat or upbeat?

downbeat vs upbeat

Upbeat means cheerful and positive, which is the opposite of the adjective downbeat. In music, the upbeat is the unstressed beat before the downbeat.

Practice

After the poor sales figures came out, the manager gave a ___ speech and avoided making big promises.

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