lowly
lowly Lexical Profile
lowly Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Low in social status, rank, importance, or esteem.
"He began his career as a lowly intern at the publishing house before eventually becoming the editor-in-chief."
Meek, unassuming, or free from pride and arrogance in spirit or demeanor.
"The monk was admired throughout the village for his gentle and lowly disposition."
• adverb
In a humble, meek, or unassuming manner.
"The petitioner bowed lowly before the council to present his request."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although formed with the suffix '-ly', 'lowly' is primarily used in modern English as an adjective (as in 'a lowly clerk') rather than an adverb; for the standard adverbial sense of position or volume, 'low' is used instead.
• Rhymes for lowly
Word Origin & Etymology
Recorded in Middle English as 'louli', formed from the adjective 'low' (from Old Norse 'lágr') plus the suffix '-ly'.