1 A2 neutral
In mathematics or accounting: to reduce a number to the nearest lower whole number or specified decimal place.
"If the answer is 7.8, you can round it down to 7 for this estimate."
separable
round down
A2 neutral separable transitive
To reduce a number to the nearest whole number or convenient figure below it.
In plain English
To make a number a little smaller so it's easier to work with — like changing 4.7 to 4.
What does "round down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 informal
Informally: to reduce a price or amount slightly to make it a neater figure.
"The total came to £19.90, so I'll round it down to £19 for you."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To round (make round/whole) in a downward direction — fairly transparent.
Actually means
To make a number a little smaller so it's easier to work with — like changing 4.7 to 4.
Usage tip
Standard mathematical/financial term. In everyday speech, people may also say 'round down' when approximating prices or quantities informally. Opposite of 'round up'.
Words that pair with "round down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
number figure price total percentage amount
How to conjugate "round down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
round down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rounds down
he/she/it
Past simple
rounded down
yesterday
Past participle
rounded down
have + pp
-ing form
rounding down
continuous
Hear "round down" in the wild
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