downer
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A negative drug trip.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Normally those pills give me a boost, but last night they gave me a downer.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Any drug that has depressant qualities.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
Something or someone disagreeable, dispiriting or depressing; a killjoy.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “downer” mean?
A negative drug trip.
Is “downer” formal or informal?
downer is generally slang.