adv. , adj. /down"hil"/ ; n. /down"hil'/ , adv.
1. down the slope of a hill; downward.
2. into a worse or inferior condition: The business has been going downhill.
adj.
3. going or tending downward on or as on a hill.
4. free of problems or obstacles; easy: After the initial setbacks on the project, it was downhill all the way.
5. of or pertaining to skiing downhill.
n.
6. a timed ski race on a steep slope in which competitors take the most direct route to the finish line following a course with relatively few turns and attaining very high speeds. Cf. slalom .
[ 1585-95; DOWN 1 + HILL ]