low
1 of 6adjective
ˈlō 
lower ˈlō-ər ; lowest ˈlō-əst
; lowest ˈlō-əst 1
a
: having a small upward extension or elevation
a low wall
b
: situated or passing little above a reference line, point, or plane
low bridges
c(1)
: having a low-cut neckline
(2)
: not extending as high as the ankle
low oxfords
2
a
: situated or passing below the normal level, surface, or base of measurement, or the mean elevation
low ground
b
: marking a nadir or bottom
the low point of his career
3
a(1)
: small in number or amount
(2)
: substandard, inadequate
a low level of employment
a low income group
(3)
: cheap
low prices
(4)
: short, depleted
Oil is in low supply.
b
: of lesser degree, size, or amount than average or ordinary
low energy
c
: of lesser position, rank, or order
4
: intended to attract little attention
kept a low profile
5
: unfavorable, disparaging
had a low opinion of her
6
a
: lacking spirit or vivacity : depressed
a low frame of mind
b
: lacking strength, health, or vitality : weak, prostrate
very low with pneumonia
7
a
: being near the horizon
b
: being near the equator
low northern latitudes
8
: falling short of some standard: such as
a
: morally reprehensible : base
a low trick
b
: lacking dignity or elevation
a low style of writing
c
: coarse, vulgar
low language
9
a
: not loud : soft
b
: characterized by being toward the bottom of the range of pitch attainable (as by an instrument)
c
: flat sense 8a
10
: socially or economically humble in character or status
a person of low birth
11
: designed for slow and usually the slowest speed
low gear
12
a
: not advanced in complexity, development, or elaboration
low organisms
b
often capitalized : low church
13
: being near the basket or net
a player in the low post
14
: dead —used as a predicate adjective with lay
laid the enemy low
15
: articulated with a wide opening between the relatively flat tongue and the palate : open
\\ä\\ is a low vowel.
low adverb
lowness noun
low
2 of 6noun (1)
1
: something that is low: such as
a
: depth
a new low in advertising
b
: a region of low barometric pressure
2
: the transmission gear of an automotive vehicle giving the lowest ratio of driveshaft to crankshaft speed
low
3 of 6verb (1)
lowed; lowing; lows
intransitive verb
: moo
In barns cows lowed to be milked.
Esther Forbes
Esther Forbeslow
4 of 6noun (2)
: the deep sustained sound characteristic especially of a cow
low
5 of 6noun (3)
ˈlō
variants or lowe
chiefly Scotland
: flame, blaze
low
6 of 6verb (2)
variants or lowe
lowed; lowing
Scotland
: flame, blaze
Synonyms
Adjective
- equatorial
- tropical
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective The apartment has low ceilings. They have a home in the low country. The houses are built on low ground. temperatures as low as 10 below zero He's being treated for low blood pressure. a low dose of medicine She earns a low salary. Demand for his books has remained low. Temperatures were in the low eighties. Our supply of fuel is getting low. See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English lah, low, from Old Norse lāgr; akin to Middle High German læge low, flat; probably akin to Old English licgan to lie
Verb (1) and Noun (2)
Middle English loowen, lowen, going back to Old English hlōwan, going back to Germanic *hlōan- (whence also Old Saxon hlōinga "mooing," Old Low Franconian luon, luogin "to moo, bellow," Old High German luoen), going back to Indo-European *kloh1-, presumed o-grade derivative of a verbal base *kleh1-, *kl̥h1- "call," whence also Germanic *halōn-, *hulōn- "to summon" (whence Old English geholian "to obtain, get," Old Saxon halon, haloian "to fetch, get, bring," Old High German halōn, holōn "to fetch, send for, summon"), Latin calāre "to announce, summon," Umbrian kařetu "(he must) call," Greek kaléō, kaleîn "to call, summon," and perhaps Hittite kalliš- "entice, elicit, evoke"
Note: Old English hlōwan is taken to be a Class VII strong verb (as grōwan "to grow," blōwan "to bloom, blow entry 3"), despite the lack of attested forms outside the present tense. The a vocalism of the Greek and Italic forms is variously explained. The suggestion that the base is *kalh1-, with a primary -a-, eliminates some of the difficulties.
Noun (3)
Middle English, from Old Norse logi, log; akin to Old English lēoht light — more at light
First Known Use
Adjective
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
circa 1522, in the meaning defined above
Noun (3)
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing low
Kids Definition
low 1 of 5
verb
ˈlō
lowed; lowing
: to make the sound of a cow : moo
low
2 of 5noun
: the mooing of a cow
low
3 of 5adjective
lower; lowest
1
: not high or tall
a low building
2
: lying or going below the usual level
low ground
a low bow
3
: not loud : soft
a low whisper
4
: deep in pitch
a low voice
5
: not cheerful : sad
low spirits
6
: less than usual (as in quantity or value)
low prices
low temperatures
7
: less than enough
Our supply is getting low.
8
: not strong
low winds
9
: not favorable : poor
I have a low opinion of him.
low
4 of 5noun
1
: a point or level that is the least in degree, size, or amount
The temperature hit a low of ten degrees.
2
: a region of reduced barometric pressure
3
: the arrangement of gears in an automobile that gives the slowest speed of travel
low
5 of 5adverb
lower; lowest
: so as to be low
fly low
sing low
Medical Definition
low
adjective
ˈlō
lower ˈlō(-ə)r ; lowest ˈlō-əst
; lowest ˈlō-əst : having a relatively less complex organization : not greatly differentiated or developed phylogenetically —usually used in the comparative degree of less advanced types of plants and animals
the lower vertebrates
compare high sense 1 Biographical Definition
Low
biographical name
ˈlō
Sir David Alexander Cecil 1891–1963 British cartoonist
low 1 of 3
adjective
1
as in tropical
being near the equator we took a cruise to the low northern latitudes Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- tropical
- subtropical
- equatorial
- subtropic
- semitropical
- semitropic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- polar
- temperate
2
as in primitive
belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development once considered the latest thing, electric typewriters now look like low technology indeed Synonyms & Similar Words
- primitive
- rudimentary
- early
- crude
- basic
- simple
- old
- obsolete
- unsophisticated
- ancient
- uncomplicated
- rude
- primordial
- antiquated
- past
- backward
- primeval
- underdeveloped
- homely
- undeveloped
- embryonic
- antique
- homespun
- aged
- unmodernized
- quaint
- hoary
- dated
- outworn
- antediluvian
- fusty
- oldfangled
- passé
- old-fashioned
- out-of-date
- musty
- old-time
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- high
- higher
- late
- advanced
- evolved
- developed
- complex
- complicated
- sophisticated
- intricate
- involved
- grown
- ripe
- mature
- matured
- ripened
- perfected
- current
- new
- civilized
- modern
- enlightened
- cultivated
- refined
- contemporary
- latest
- now
- novel
- modernistic
- full-blown
- ultramodern
- newfangled
- mod
- supermodern
- up-to-date
- present-day
- state-of-the-art
- new-fashioned
- space-age
3
as in humble
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank people, both high and low, have been worshipping in this cathedral for centuries Synonyms & Similar Words
- humble
- poor
- lowly
- inferior
- common
- ignoble
- vulgar
- plebeian
- simple
- unwashed
- lumpen
- prole
- mean
- proletarian
- lowborn
- lower-class
- baseborn
- low-life
- bourgeois
- plain
- middle-class
- working-class
- downscale
- déclassé
- down-market
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- high
- great
- lofty
- gentle
- aristocratic
- noble
- grand
- genteel
- patrician
- highborn
- prominent
- eminent
- notable
- wellborn
- highbred
- upper-class
- upper-crust
- illustrious
- blue-blooded
4
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness I was feeling low, and wanted to do something exciting to cheer myself up Synonyms & Similar Words
- depressed
- unhappy
- sad
- bad
- miserable
- heartbroken
- down
- melancholy
- upset
- worried
- sorry
- disappointed
- mournful
- woeful
- blue
- uneasy
- troubled
- hopeless
- sorrowful
- gloomy
- dejected
- disconsolate
- doleful
- depressing
- droopy
- cast down
- hangdog
- woebegone
- downcast
- melancholic
- glum
- brokenhearted
- joyless
- forlorn
- wretched
- downhearted
- crestfallen
- suicidal
- sunk
- distressed
- discouraged
- saddened
- inconsolable
- heartsick
- despondent
- low-spirited
- heavyhearted
- down in the mouth
- despairing
- tearful
- grieving
- bleak
- unquiet
- aggrieved
- dismal
- heartsore
- somber
- dark
- lugubrious
- dispirited
- morbid
- weeping
- gray
- desolate
- darkening
- sullen
- black
- plaintive
- anguished
- disheartened
- wailing
- cheerless
- lachrymose
- regretful
- agonized
- dolorous
- rueful
- morose
- saturnine
- murky
- dreary
- elegiac
- elegiacal
- comfortless
- grey
- drear
- sombre
- funereal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- buoyant
- cheerful
- sunny
- buoyed
- exuberant
- joyous
- blissful
- happy
- joyful
- upbeat
- cheery
- gleeful
- glad
- rapturous
- jubilant
- jolly
- euphoric
- ecstatic
- exultant
- jovial
- chipper
- blithe
- rhapsodical
- optimistic
- merry
- delighted
- jocular
- rhapsodic
- blithesome
- enraptured
- excited
- elated
- rosy
- mirthful
- vital
- energetic
- bouncing
- sanguine
- exhilarated
- jocose
- hopeful
- overjoyed
- lightsome
- jocund
- perky
- spirited
- content
- entranced
- lively
- gladsome
- peppy
- satisfied
- vivacious
- frisky
- thrilled
- gladdened
- sprightly
- springy
- jaunty
- careless
- laughing
- smiling
- unconcerned
- animated
- zippy
- encouraged
- easygoing
- carefree
- pleased
- boon
- gratified
- lighthearted
- insouciant
- sprightful
- cavalier
- beaming
- grinning
- heartened
- happy-go-lucky
- devil-may-care
5
as in deep
having a low musical pitch or range the tuba's low notes made the floor vibrate Synonyms & Similar Words
- deep
- bass
- smoky
- throaty
- grave
- hoarse
- rough
- gruff
- husky
- boomy
- tubby
- smokey
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- high
- acute
- shrill
- sharp
- treble
- thin
- piping
- squeaky
- squeaking
- squealing
- penetrating
- high-pitched
- strident
- piercing
- earsplitting
- tinny
- peeping
6
as in short
having relatively little height the low hedge surrounding the garden wasn't meant to keep anything out, just to look pretty Synonyms & Similar Words
- short
- little
- small
- slight
- tiny
- low-slung
- low-lying
- dwarf
- flat
- compact
- diminutive
- sawed-off
- minimized
- smallish
- puny
- dwarfish
- pocket
- petite
- dumpy
- bitty
- miniature
- squat
- undersized
- wee
- stumpy
- stunted
- dinky
- stubby
- mini
- scrubby
- bantam
- pygmy
- squatty
- teeny
- minute
- undersize
- pocket-sized
- pocket-size
- pint-sized
- teeny-weeny
- half-pint
- pint-size
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- high
- tall
- lofty
- elevated
- lifted
- towering
- raised
- uplifted
- upswept
- altitudinous
- large
- statuesque
- lanky
- sizeable
- big
- sizable
- rangy
- hefty
- bulky
- oversized
- voluminous
- outsized
- gangling
- oversize
- outsize
- largish
- high-rise
- hulking
- gangly
7
as in weak
lacking bodily strength the weeklong bout of chicken pox laid her low Synonyms & Similar Words
- weak
- weakened
- feeble
- soft
- disabled
- frail
- faint
- slight
- softened
- wimpy
- exhausted
- paralyzed
- tired
- sapped
- languid
- vulnerable
- wasted
- debilitated
- enfeebled
- unsubstantial
- asthenic
- tender
- enervated
- infirm
- prostrate
- fragile
- delicate
- injured
- incapacitated
- wimpish
- effete
- prostrated
- weary
- drained
- hurt
- invalid
- rocky
- challenged
- impaired
- unsteady
- down-and-out
- decrepit
- damaged
- susceptible
- flimsy
- dizzy
- impotent
- yielding
- powerless
- lame
- flagging
- breakable
- woozy
- groggy
- resistless
- broken-down
- unresistant
- harmed
- unsound
- worn-out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- strong
- powerful
- mighty
- robust
- rugged
- hard
- tough
- stout
- muscular
- fit
- beefy
- sturdy
- athletic
- stalwart
- husky
- virile
- sinewy
- hardy
- lusty
- brawny
- vigorous
- strapping
- healthy
- energetic
- hardened
- sound
- strengthened
- capable
- fortified
- toughened
- competent
- energized
- vitalized
- recovering
- hale
- inured
- able-bodied
- red-blooded
- invigorated
- recuperating
- convalescing
8
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste jokes about toilets are generally considered low humor Synonyms & Similar Words
- crass
- vulgar
- rude
- common
- coarse
- crude
- gross
- rough
- lowbrow
- rugged
- clumsy
- unrefined
- unpolished
- incult
- uncultivated
- raffish
- uncouth
- uncultured
- tasteless
- roughneck
- insensible
- lowbred
- rustic
- unsophisticated
- insensitive
- rough-hewn
- illiberal
- ungentlemanly
- ill-bred
- lumpish
- provincial
- inconsiderate
- boorish
- churlish
- tacky
- cloddish
- clownish
- indelicate
- thoughtless
- lubberly
- loutish
- rustical
- countrified
- inelegant
- barbarous
- uncivilized
- oafish
- unmannered
- countryfied
- animallike
- barbaric
- unmannerly
- mannerless
- graceless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- smooth
- polished
- refined
- civilized
- aristocratic
- cultivated
- cultured
- genteel
- tasteful
- sensitive
- elegant
- graceful
- restrained
- ultrarefined
- patrician
- courtly
- sophisticated
- well-bred
- gracious
- considerate
- thoughtful
- urbane
- citified
9
as in dirty
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency low tactics of that sort will not be tolerated on this hockey team Synonyms & Similar Words
- dirty
- nasty
- base
- bad
- vile
- paltry
- immoral
- ignominious
- ignoble
- vicious
- cruel
- corrupt
- contemptible
- detestable
- mean
- sordid
- snide
- dishonorable
- wretched
- despicable
- low-down
- evil
- low-minded
- execrable
- currish
- wicked
- wrong
- foul
- iniquitous
- degenerate
- atrocious
- debased
- miscreant
- depraved
- dissolute
- unscrupulous
- unworthy
- debauched
- censurable
- shameful
- perverted
- disgraceful
- villainous
- disreputable
- reprehensible
- unprincipled
- unethical
- discreditable
- blameworthy
- blamable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- high
- lofty
- straight
- noble
- upright
- honorable
- virtuous
- excellent
- good
- venerable
- ethical
- honest
- moral
- right
- just
- righteous
- scrupulous
- proper
- decent
- respectable
- exemplary
- commendable
- reputable
- high-minded
- seemly
- principled
- blameless
- guiltless
- right-minded
- incorruptible
- irreproachable
- unerring
- uncorrupted
10
as in soft
not loud in pitch or volume murmured her answer in a low voice Synonyms & Similar Words
- soft
- quiet
- gentle
- hushed
- dull
- silent
- muffled
- still
- soothing
- calm
- dead
- muted
- serene
- tranquil
- dreamy
- restful
- softened
- peaceful
- stilly
- toned (down)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loud
- booming
- thunderous
- sonorous
- roaring
- blasting
- crashing
- deafening
- stentorian
- clamorous
- noisy
- earsplitting
- plangent
- overloud
- ringing
- thundering
- piercing
- blaring
- vociferous
- shrill
- raucous
- harsh
- resounding
- discordant
- brazen
- clangorous
- obstreperous
- clear
- grating
- strident
- dinning
- squealing
- rip-roaring
- trumpetlike
- clarion
11
as in inexpensive
costing little gas is low right now, but prices will inevitably rise this summer, when people start driving more Synonyms & Similar Words
- inexpensive
- reasonable
- cheap
- affordable
- budget
- reduced
- lowered
- dirt cheap
- cheapo
- popular
- cheapie
- chintzy
- low-end
- discounted
- moderate
- discount
- cut-price
- cut-rate
- worthless
- el cheapo
- cheapish
- bargain-basement
- dime-store
- wholesale
- valueless
- ultracheap
- supercheap
- fire-sale
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- high
- expensive
- valuable
- costly
- dear
- premium
- precious
- pricey
- increased
- inflated
- deluxe
- steep
- exorbitant
- unreasonable
- prohibitive
- pricy
- spendy
- stiff
- extravagant
- overpriced
- high-ticket
- invaluable
- prohibitory
- priceless
- luxurious
- ultraexpensive
- superexpensive
12
as in bottom
of, relating to, or located at the bottom currently enjoys a low standing in the polls Synonyms & Similar Words
- bottom
- lower
- rock-bottom
- lowermost
- undermost
- nethermost
- lowered
- below
- under
- nether
- low-grade
- bottommost
- lowly
- low-lying
- sunken
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- highest
- higher
- top
- upper
- uppermost
- topmost
- loftiest
- elevated
- lifted
- loftier
- upmost
- raised
- heightened
- uplifted
- escalated
- upraised
- jacked (up)
13
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need levels for school volunteers remain low, at least compared to what was expected Synonyms & Similar Words
- lacking
- insufficient
- inadequate
- scarce
- short
- deficient
- unacceptable
- sparse
- shy
- unsatisfactory
- minimum
- meager
- wanting
- substandard
- lean
- skimpy
- poor
- meagre
- scant
- slender
- small
- scanty
- light
- mere
- stingy
- slim
- spare
- skimp
- bare
- slight
- niggardly
- hand-to-mouth
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- adequate
- sufficient
- enough
- abundant
- plentiful
- generous
- ample
- copious
- liberal
- bountiful
- plenteous
- bounteous
- satisfactory
- large
- tolerable
- enlarged
- expanded
- considerable
- rich
- substantial
- teeming
- overflowing
- supplemented
- super
- sizeable
- plenitudinous
- hefty
- sizable
- big
- lavish
- oversized
- oversize
- largish
- luxuriant
- jumbo
- abounding
- king-sized
- king-size
14
as in fallen
no longer living thousands of the elderly were laid low by the deadly strain of flu Synonyms & Similar Words
- fallen
- dead
- late
- cold
- deceased
- asleep
- lifeless
- dying
- gone
- extinct
- defunct
- fading
- breathless
- departed
- demised
- bitten the dust
- moribund
- lapsed
- terminated
- finished
- inanimate
- stillborn
- insensate
- nonliving
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- quick
- live
- breathing
- alive
- living
- going
- dynamic
- active
- vital
- functioning
- vibrant
- lively
- operative
- thriving
- animate
- animated
- running
- vivacious
low
2 of 3noun
as in bay
Synonyms & Similar Words
- bay
- bellow
- cheep
- grunt
- squeak
- howl
- whinny
- blat
- screech
- neigh
- squawk
- squeal
- roar
- quack
- chirp
- yelp
- calling
- bark
- croak
- trumpet
- cluck
- crake
- coo
- moo
- bleat
- cackle
- squall
- honk
- peep
- yowl
- caterwaul
- caw
- bray
- crow
- yip
- hoot
- meow
- tu-whit tu-whoo
- oink
- mew
- twitter
- yap
- cry
- miaow
- call
- note
low
3 of 3adverb
as in down
Synonyms & Similar Words
- down
- downward
- below
- over
- downwards
- downhill
- downgrade
- downstairs
- facedown
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- up
- upward
- upwards
- upwardly
- aloft
Synonym Chooser
The words base and vile are common synonyms of low. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.
refused to listen to such low talk
While the synonyms base and low are close in meaning, base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.
base motives
Although the words vile and low have much in common, vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.
a vile remark