downer

[dou-ner]

noun

1. Informal.

   1. a depressant or sedative drug, especially a barbiturate.

   2. a depressing experience, person, or situation.

2. Animal Husbandry.,  an old or diseased animal, especially one that cannot stand up.

downer

/ ˈdaʊnə /

noun

1. Also called: down. a barbiturate, tranquillizer, or narcotic Compare upper

2. a depressing experience

3. a state of depression

   he's on a downer today

Word History and Origins

Origin of downer¹

1910–15, for an earlier sense; 1965–70, downer for def. 1; down ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Singer Emmy aims for a hopeful spin on a tragic story but, despite a peppy performance, it's a bit of a downer.

From BBC

The ending’s a downer, all right, but you might just smile too.

From Los Angeles Times

The only downer with “Welcome Tour,” which is primarily designed to show off the console’s capabilities, is that it doesn’t come bundled with the Switch 2.

From Los Angeles Times

Like virtually all of the climate scientists I spoke with, he’s not trying to be a downer.

From Los Angeles Times

How much of a downer would it be if he’s reduced to being a spectator when the Dodgers win the World Series?

From Los Angeles Times