Definition

A person who comes from the southern part of a state, especially in New York.

Example

Many downstaters visit the city during the summer months.

Conversation

I met a really interesting downstater at the conference yesterday.

Oh really? What were they like?

They had a lot of great insights about life in the city.

That sounds awesome! I love hearing stories from people who live downstate.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Downstater is formed from "down" (from Old English "dūn", meaning a hill or mound) and "stater" (from the word "state", meaning a condition or situation). The term refers to someone who is from a lower geographical area or a person who identifies with a particular state or region, often used in the context of someone from a less urbanized area compared to a city.

Memory Tip

Think of someone from a 'hill' or 'lower area' ('down') who identifies with a specific 'condition' or 'region' ('stater'). This helps you remember that a downstater is someone from a less urbanized area.

Visually Confused Words