low
low Lexical Profile
low Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Of less than average height from top to bottom or Situated near the ground, floor, or base; not high or tall.
"A low stone wall separated the cottage garden from the country lane."
Below average in amount, extent, intensity, degree, or value; small or depleted.
"The reservoir water levels remained dangerously low throughout the summer drought."
Of a sound or voice, deep in musical pitch or quiet and restrained in volume.
"They spoke in low voices so they would not disturb the other readers in the library."
Depressed, dejected, or lacking in energy, morale, or vitality.
"She felt rather low for several days after recovering from the flu."
Unfavorable in opinion, inferior in rank or quality, or morally base and dishonorable.
"The critic held a decidedly low opinion of the director's latest film."
• adverb
In or toward a position or level near the ground, floor, or bottom; not high.
"The swallows were flying low over the meadow just before the rain began."
Quietly, softly, or at a deep musical pitch; also, to a small or depleted degree.
"With supplies running low, the expedition team decided to return to base camp."
• noun
A low point, level, figure, or period of minimum value or achievement.
"Unemployment in the region dropped to a record low this quarter."
In meteorology, an area of low atmospheric pressure, typically associated with clouds, wind, and precipitation.
"A deep Atlantic low is expected to bring heavy rain across the coast tomorrow."
The deep, resonant sound made by cattle; a moo.
"The low of the cattle echoed softly across the pasture at dusk."
• verb
To make the characteristic deep, resonant sound of cattle (to moo).
"The cows lowed impatiently by the barn gate waiting to be milked."
Word Nuance & Usage
As an adverb, 'low' refers to physical position, pitch, or degree (e.g., 'aim low', 'speak low'), whereas 'lowly' is primarily used as an adjective meaning humble or of low social status, or rarely as an adverb meaning humbly.
• Rhymes for low
Word Origin & Etymology
The adjective, adverb, and noun senses of 'low' (not high) derive from Middle English lah, borrowed from Old Norse lágr ('low, short'), which displaced the native Old English lah. The verb and noun sense meaning 'to moo' is an unrelated homonym from Old English hlōwan, of imitative Germanic origin.