Word forms: comparative lower, superlative lowest, plural lows
1. adjective
Something that is low measures only a short distance from the bottom to the top, or from the ground to the top.
...the low garden wall that separated the front garden from next door.
She put it down on the low table.
The country, with its low, rolling hills was beautiful.
The Leisure Center is a long and low modern building.
Synonyms: small, little, short, stunted More Synonyms of low
2. adjective
If something is low, it is close to the ground, to sea level, or to the bottom of something.
He bumped his head on the low beams.
It was late afternoon and the sun was low in the sky.
They saw a government war plane make a series of low-level bombing raids.
...nagging low back pain.
Synonyms: low-lying, deep, depressed, shallow More Synonyms of low
3. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
When a river is low, it contains less water than usual.
...pumps that guarantee a constant depth of water even when the supplying river islow.
4. adjective
You can use low to indicate that something is small in amount or that it is at the bottom of a particularscale. You can use phrases such as in the low 80s to indicate that a number or level is less than 85 but not as little as 80.
British casualties remained remarkably low.
They are still having to live on very low incomes.
The temperature's in the low 40s.
Synonyms: meagre, little, small, reduced More Synonyms of low
5. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Low is used to describe people who are not considered to be very important because theyare near the bottom of a particular scale or system.
She refused to promote Colin above the low rank of 'legal adviser'.
6. countable noun [usually singular]
If something reaches a low of a particular amount or degree, that is its smallest amount or lowest level.
Overnight temperatures fell to a low of -20°C in some areas. [+ of]
The dollar fell to a new low.
Synonyms: lowest level, nadir, low point, rock bottom More Synonyms of low
7. adjective
If you drive or ride a bicycle in a low gear, you use a gear, usually first or second, which gives you the most control overyour car or bicycle when travelling slowly.
She selected a low gear and started down the track carefully.
8. adjective
If the quality or standard of something is low, it is very poor.
A school would not accept low-quality work from any student.
The inquiry team criticises staff at the psychiatric hospital for the low standardof care.
...low-grade coal.
Synonyms: inferior, bad, poor, inadequate More Synonyms of low
9. adjective
If a food or other substance is low in a particular ingredient, it contains only a small amount of that ingredient.
They look for foods that are low in calories. [+ in]
Low is also a combining form.
...low-sodium tomato sauce.
Low-odour paints help make decorating so much easier.
10. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe someone such as a student or a worker as a low achiever, you mean that they are not very good at their work, and do not achieveor produce as much as others.
Low achievers in schools will receive priority.
...if there are strikes by unrewarded low performers.
11. adjective
If you have a low opinion of someone or something, you disapprove of them or dislike them.
I have an extremely low opinion of the British tabloid newspapers.
Synonyms: unfavourable, bad, poor, negative More Synonyms of low
12. adjective
You can use low to describe negative feelings and attitudes.
We are all very tired and morale is low.
People had very low expectations.
Synonyms: unambitious, small, limited, ordinary More Synonyms of low
13. adjective
If a sound or noise is low, it is deep.
Then suddenly she gave a low, choking moan and began to tremble violently.
My voice has got so low now I was mistaken for a man the other day on the phone.
Synonyms: deep, rich, bass, resonant More Synonyms of low
14. adjective
If someone's voice is low, it is quiet or soft.
Her voice was so low he had to strain to catch it.
Synonyms: quiet, soft, gentle, whispered More Synonyms of low
15. adjective
A light that is low is not bright or strong.
Their eyesight is poor in low light.
16. adjective
If a radio, oven, or light is on low, it has been adjusted so that only a small amount of sound, heat, or light is produced.
She turned her little kitchen radio on low.
Buy a dimmer switch and keep the light on low, or switch it off altogether.
Cook the sauce over a low heat until it boils and thickens.
17. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you are lowon something or if a supply of it is low, there is not much of it left.
We're a bit low on bed linen. [+ on]
World stocks of wheat were getting very low.
Synonyms: scarce, diminished, inadequate, insufficient More Synonyms of low
18. adjective
If you are low, you are depressed.
[informal]
'I didn't ask for this job, you know,' he tells friends when he is low.
Synonyms: dejected, down, blue, sad More Synonyms of low
19. See also lower
20.
See lay sb low
21.
See lie low
22. to look high and low
23. low profile
24. to be running low
More Synonyms of low
low in British English1
(ləʊ)
adjective
1.
having a relatively small distance from base to top; not tall or high
a low hill
a low building
2.
a.
situated at a relatively short distance above the ground, sea level, the horizon, or other reference position
low cloud
b.
(in combination)
low-lying
3.
a.
involving or containing a relatively small amount of something
a low supply
b.
(in combination)
low-pressure
4.
a.
having little value or quality
b.
(in combination)
low-grade
5.
of less than the usual or expected height, depth, or degree
low temperature
6.
a.
(of numbers) small
b.
(of measurements) expressed in small numbers
7.
unfavourable
a low opinion
8.
not advanced in evolution
a low form of plant life
9.
deep
a low obeisance
10.
coarse or vulgar
a low conversation
11.
a.
inferior in culture or status
b.
(in combination)
low-class
12.
in a physically or mentally depressed or weakened state
13.
designed so as to reveal the wearer's neck and part of the bosom
a low neckline
14.
with a hushed tone; quiet or soft
a low whisper
15.
of relatively small price or monetary value
low cost
16. music
relating to or characterized by a relatively low pitch
17.
(of latitudes) situated not far north or south of the equator
18.
having little or no money
19.
abject or servile
20. phonetics
of, relating to, or denoting a vowel whose articulation is produced by moving the back of the tongue away from the soft palate or the blade away from the hard palate, such as for the a in English father
Compare high (sense 22)
21.
(of a gear) providing a relatively low forward speed for a given engine speed
22. (usually capital)
of or relating to the Low Church
adverb
23.
in a low position, level, degree, intensity, etc
to bring someone low
24.
at a low pitch; deep
to sing low
25.
at a low price; cheaply
to buy low
26. lay low
27. lie low
noun
28.
a low position, level, or degree
an all-time low
29.
an area of relatively low atmospheric pressure, esp a depression
30. electronics
the voltage level in a logic circuit corresponding to logical zero
Compare high (sense 40)
Derived forms
lowness (ˈlowness)
noun
Word origin
C12 lāh, from Old Norse lāgr; related to Old Frisian lēch low, Dutch laag
low in British English2
(ləʊ)
noun also: lowing
1.
the sound uttered by cattle; moo
verb
2.
to make or express by a low or moo
Word origin
Old English hlōwan; related to Dutch loeien, Old Saxon hlōian
Low in British English
(ləʊ)
noun
Sir David. 1891–1963, British political cartoonist, born in New Zealand: created Colonel Blimp
blimp2
Low in American English
(loʊ)
1.
Sir David1891-1963; Brit. political cartoonist, born in New Zealand
2.
Juliette(born Juliette Gordon) 1860-1927; U.S. founder of the Girl Scouts
low in American English1
(loʊ)
adjective
1.
a.
of little height or elevation; not high or tall
b.
not far above the ground
low clouds
2.
depressed below the surrounding surface or normal elevation
low land
3.
of little depth; shallow
the river is low
4.
of little quantity, degree, intensity, value, etc.
a low cost, low pressure, a low profile
5.
of less than normal height, elevation, depth, quantity, degree, power, etc.
6.
below others in order, position, rating, etc.
low man on the team, low marks
7.
near the horizon
the sun was low
8.
near the equator
a low latitude
9.
cut so as to expose the neck or part of the shoulders, chest, or back; décolleté
a dress with a low neckline
10.
a. Rare
prostrate or dead
b.
in hiding or obscurity
to stay low
11.
deep; profound
a low bow
12.
lacking energy; enfeebled; weak
13.
depressed in spirits; melancholy
14.
not of high rank; humble; plebeian
a man of low origin
15.
vulgar; coarse; debased; undignified
16.
mean; despicable; contemptible
a low trick
17.
poor; slight; unfavorable
to have a low opinion of someone
18.
containing less than a normal amount of some usual element
low in calories, low-salt diet
19.
not advanced in evolution, development, complexity, etc.; inferior
a low form of plant life
20.
relatively recent
a manuscript of a low date
21. US
designating or of that gear ratio of a motor vehicle transmission which produces the lowest speed and the greatest torque
22.
a.
not well supplied with; short of
with on
low on ammunition
b. Informal
not having any or much money; short of ready cash
23.
of little intensity; not loud
said of a sound
24.
designating or producing tones made by relatively slow vibrations; deep in pitch
25.
very informal and permissive in matters of ceremony, doctrine, etc.
26. Phonetics
articulated with the tongue held relatively low in the mouth
said of certain vowels, as (ä) in far
adverb
27.
in, at, to, or toward a low degree, level, place, position, etc.
hit them low
28.
in a low manner
29.
quietly; softly
speak low
30.
with a deep pitch
noun
31.
something low
; specif.,
a. US
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
b.
a low degree, level, place, position, etc.
c. US, Meteorology
an area of low barometric pressure
SIMILAR WORDS: base
Idioms:
lay low
lie low
Derived forms
lowness (ˈlowness)
noun
Word origin
ME lah < ON lagr, akin to MDu lage, MLowG læge < IE base *legh-, lie1
low in American English2
(loʊ)
verb intransitive
1.
to make the characteristic vocal sound of a cow; moo
verb transitive
2.
to express by lowing
noun
3.
the characteristic sound of a cow
Word origin
ME lowen < OE hlowan, akin to ON hloa, to roar < IE base *kel-, to cry > L clamor
low in American English3
(loʊ)
noun, verb intransitive
Scottish and North England
flame or blaze
Word origin
ME loghe < ON logi, akin to MHG lohe, flame: for IE base see light1
More idioms containing
low
search high and low for something
at a low ebb
keep a low profile
COBUILD Collocations
low
all-time low
record low
Examples of 'low' in a sentence
low
There is quality in the lower leagues.
The Sun (2017)
The tax should reflect the lower risk.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Low specimens make a good yellow carpet.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We will get a much lower percentage than before.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And the proportions are all wrong because the ceilings are painfully low in relation to the floor plan.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some Buckle goes because he is too low in the weights.
The Sun (2016)
Public trust in charities has crashed to an all-time low.
The Sun (2017)
The pound is about 15 per cent lower against the dollar and 10 per cent lower against the euro since the referendum.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They see me sweating down to do low weights and riding dodgy novices.
The Sun (2010)
The euro plummeted to a new low against the dollar before making a slight recovery.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You go through such highs and lows.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Young has been a critic of digital music because the sound quality is lower than on vinyl.
The Sun (2012)
The sun has to be low enough to strike the dew at a sharp angle.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The good news for him was that expectations were not so much low as below ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The fat content of these animals is relatively low.
Chaitow, Leon The Beat Fatigue Workbook - how to identify the causes (1988)
They also have a worryingly low profile.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
High bad cholesterol and low good cholesterol.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They said the price was too low.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They are fiercely competitive and offer lower prices year after year.
The Sun (2010)
Strain the sauce and place in a small saucepan over a low heat to keep warm.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The highs and lows of five new preaching books.
Christianity Today (2000)
Then section off the top and tie the bottom half in a low ponytail.
The Sun (2013)
The lights are low and a soporific electronic soundtrack fills the air.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This leads to him feeling physically low and makes him more sensitive and therefore more vulnerable to stress.
Vera Peiffer POSITIVELY FEARLESS: Breaking free of the fears that hold you back (2001)
This will fly lower and thus run more on landing so make sure you have the right club.