noun / adverb / adjective
downtown
The central business area of a city, or in that area.
Downtown is busy with office workers during the lunch hour.
Etymology
The expression developed from travel toward the lower part of a town, notably lower Manhattan. It broadened to the central business district of a city.
More examples
- We take the bus downtown to avoid paying for parking.
- Their downtown apartment is close to shops and restaurants.
- Several small cities are adding bike lanes to their downtowns.
Forms
downtown · downtowns
Similar words
- city center
- Refers to the central area, whether commercial or not.
- business district
- Emphasizes commerce and may lie outside the city's center.