noun
downside
DOWN-syde/ˈdaʊnsaɪd/
A negative aspect or possible drawback of something.
Mosquitoes are the downside of camping beside the beautiful lake.
Etymology
The “down side” originally meant an underside. The word later shifted from a physical lower surface to an unfavorable aspect—the disadvantage rather than the underside of something.
In context
The Siosaka jacket is light, breathable, and timeless, an almost perfect summer staple. The only downside is that it can be a bit difficult to wear without looking like you're going to the Kentucky Derby
More examples
- One downside to working from home is feeling isolated.
- We weigh the downsides before making a decision.
- The plan has no obvious downside.
Forms
downside · downsides
Similar words
- drawback
- A specific unfavorable feature that makes something less appealing.
- disadvantage
- Often emphasizes a weaker position compared with others.