n.[C]

1. （路等的）下坡；向下的路（或趋势）
2. 【喻】下坡路
   The store's business has been on the downgrade for the past few years.

   最近几年这家商店的生意每况愈下。

vt.

1. 使降级；使降职；使降低保密级[（+to）]
   Some of the employees working for this firm have been downgraded.

   这家公司有几名雇员被降了职。

2. 降低，贬低；小看
   He often downgrades people he does not like.

   他常常贬低自己不喜欢的人。

v.

n.

1. an instance of downgrading.
2. N. Amer. a downward gradient.