Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » low

low

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of low is something with little height, emotionally depressed, below the surface level, quiet or deep in pitch.

(adjective)

An example of low is fog resting on the ground.
An example of low is someone feeling sad.
An example of low is speaking quietly.
An example of low is a deep voice.

See low in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

1. of little height or elevation; not high or tall
2. not far above the ground: low clouds
depressed below the surrounding surface or normal elevation: low land
of little depth; shallow: the river is low
of little quantity, degree, intensity, value, etc.: a low cost, low pressure, a low profile
of less than normal height, elevation, depth, quantity, degree, power, etc.
below others in order, position, rating, etc.: low man on the team, low marks
near the horizon: the sun was low
near the equator: a low latitude
cut so as to expose the neck or part of the shoulders, chest, or back; décolleté: a dress with a low neckline
1. Rare prostrate or dead
2. in hiding or obscurity: to stay low
deep; profound: a low bow
lacking energy; enfeebled; weak
depressed in spirits; melancholy
not of high rank; humble; plebeian: a man of low origin
vulgar; coarse; debased; undignified
mean; despicable; contemptible: a low trick
poor; slight; unfavorable: to have a low opinion of someone
containing less than a normal amount of some usual element: low in calories, low-salt diet
not advanced in evolution, development, complexity, etc.; inferior: a low form of plant life
relatively recent: a manuscript of a low date
☆ designating or of that gear ratio of a motor vehicle transmission which produces the lowest speed and the greatest torque
1. not well supplied with; short of: with on: low on ammunition
2. Informal not having any or much money; short of ready cash
of little intensity; not loud: said of a sound
designating or producing tones made by relatively slow vibrations; deep in pitch
very informal and permissive in matters of ceremony, doctrine, etc.
Phonet. articulated with the tongue held relatively low in the mouth: said of certain vowels, as (ä) in far

Origin: ME lah < ON lagr, akin to MDu lage, MLowG læge < IE base *legh-, lie

adverb

in, at, to, or toward a low degree, level, place, position, etc.: hit them low
in a low manner
quietly; softly: speak low
with a deep pitch

noun

something low; specif.,

☆ that gear of a motor vehicle, etc., producing the lowest speed and the greatest torque: also, an arrangement similar to this in an automatic transmission
a low degree, level, place, position, etc.
☆ Meteorol. an area of low barometric pressure

Related Forms:

lowness noun

intransitive verb

to make the characteristic vocal sound of a cow; moo

Origin: ME lowen < OE hlowan, akin to ON hloa, to roar < IE base *kel-, to cry > L clamor

transitive verb

to express by lowing

noun

the characteristic sound of a cow

noun, intransitive verb

Scot., North Eng. flame or blaze

Origin: ME loghe < ON logi, akin to MHG lohe, flame: for IE base see light

Low, Sir David 1891-1963; Brit. political cartoonist, born in New Zealand
Low, Juliette (born Juliette Gordon) 1860-1927; U.S. founder of the Girl Scouts

See low in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective low·er, low·est

a. Having little relative height; not high or tall.
b. Rising only slightly above surrounding surfaces.
c. Situated or placed below normal height: a low lighting fixture.
d. Situated below the surrounding surfaces: water standing in low spots.
e. Dead and buried.
f. Cut to show the wearer's neck and chest; décolleté: a low neckline.
Near or at the horizon: The sun is low in the sky.
Close or closer to a reference point: was low in the offensive zone, near the goal.
Linguistics Produced with part or all of the tongue depressed, as a, pronounced (ä), in father. Used of vowels.
Of less than usual or average depth; shallow: The river is low.
Humble in status or character; lowly: of low birth.
Biology Of relatively simple structure in the scale of living organisms.
Unrefined; coarse: low humor.
Violating standards of morality or decency; base: a low stunt to pull. See Synonyms at mean².
a. Lacking strength or vigor; weak.
b. Lacking liveliness or good spirits; discouraged or dejected.
a. Below average in degree, intensity, or amount: a low temperature.
b. Below an average or a standard: low wages; a low level of communication.
c. Ranked near the beginning of an ascending series or scale: a low number; a low grade of oil.
d. Relating to or being latitudes nearest to the equator.
e. Relatively small. Used of a cost, price, or other value: a low fee; a low income.
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively small number of sound-wave cycles per second.
Not loud; soft: a low murmur.
Being near total depletion: My savings account is low.
Not adequately provided or equipped; short: low on supplies.
Depreciatory; disparaging: a low opinion of him.
Brought down or reduced in health or wealth: in a low state.
Of, relating to, or being the gear configuration or setting, as in an automotive transmission, that produces the least vehicular speed with respect to engine speed.

adverb

a. In or to a low position, level, or space: aimed low; bent low.
b. In or to a low condition or rank; humbly: thought low of himself.
In or to a reduced, humbled, or degraded condition: brought low by failure.
Softly; quietly: speak low.
With a deep pitch: sang low.
At a small price: bought low and sold high.

noun

A low level, position, or degree: Rain collects in the lows. The stock market fell to a new low.
Meteorology A region of atmospheric pressure that is below normal.
The low gear configuration of a transmission.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English loue

Origin: , from Old Norse lāgr; see legh- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: