descend
word
/dɪˈsɛnd/
/dɪsˈɛnd/
Definition
To move or go down from a higher place to a lower one. It can also mean to come from a certain origin, such as a family or group.
Usage & Nuances
More formal and literary than 'go down'. Common collocations: 'descend the stairs', 'descend into darkness'. Can be literal (physical movement) or figurative (e.g., emotions 'descend on someone'). Not used for elevators—use 'go down' or 'take the elevator'.
Spanish: descender - bajarPortuguese (BR): descerPortuguese (PT): descerChinese (Simplified): 下降 - 下來Chinese (Traditional): 下降 - 下來Hindi: नीचे आना - उतरनाArabic: ينزل - يهبطBengali: নামা - অবতরণ করা - উদ্ভূত হওয়াRussian: спускаться - снижаться - происходить (от чего-либо)Japanese: 降りる - 下る - 由来するVietnamese: đi xuống - hạ xuống - xuất phát từKorean: 내려가다 - 내려오다 - 유래하다Turkish: inmek - alçalmak - soyundan gelmekUrdu: اترنا - نیچے آنا - نسل ہوناIndonesian: turun - menuruni - berasal
Example Sentences
Please descend the stairs carefully.
basic
Silence suddenly descended on the crowded room.
natural
Dark clouds began to descend over the city.
basic
The hikers will descend the mountain in the afternoon.
basic
As night descended, everything became quiet.
natural
Their family descended from Italian immigrants.
natural