download
verb · noun
Simple meaning
To copy a file or program from a main computer to yours
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
downlohdSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈdaʊnloʊd
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
Transfer a file or program from a central computer to a smaller computer or to a computer at a remote location
transitivecomputing
To transfer data to a given computer from a remote one via a network.
transitivecanada
To transfer jurisdiction and responsibility of a government asset or service to a lower level of government.
noun
A file transfer to a given computer or device from a remote one through a network connection.
A file that has been or is intended to be transferred in this way.
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: Transfer a file or program from a central computer to a smaller computer or to a computer at a remote location
Used this way, download is a specialist word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It stays understated rather than dramatic. This is a computing use: it carries a fixed technical meaning inside software and systems work.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Mild
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Clinical and technical
- Usage feel
- Technical and specialized
Where it naturally appears
- Technology
- Technical/specialist writing
- Business/professional
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use download
- “You can download the free app from the website.”verb
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.