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
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
7
a
: being near the horizon
b
: being near the equator
low northern latitudes
8
9
a
: not loud : soft
b
: characterized by being toward the bottom of the range of pitch attainable (as by an instrument)
c
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
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
: the deep sustained sound characteristic especially of a cow
Synonyms
Examples of low in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
There’s no additional cost — in fact, residential customers get lower monthly rates for having compost and recycling bins, saving about $13 per month compared with trash bins alone.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
Avoid puddles — Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
The objective has been to get more money to families who receive a partial credit or none at all currently because their incomes are too low, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Boasting many top-tier amenities, the yacht includes a sports and diving center on the lower deck, multiple tenders ranging in size up to 50 feet and a large swimming pool.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024
Quality Service: Despite the lower costs, Turkey offers quality hair transplant services.
—Chris Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024
For example, a hotel may receive a low star rating due to cleanliness issues despite receiving praise for its excellent customer service.
—Laura Kegley, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Lloyd’s reported underwriting profit of £5.9 billion ($7.4 billion) for 2023 on Thursday, a £3.3 billion increase on the previous year due to lower costs from large risks and natural catastrophe claims.
—Bloomberg, Fortune Europe, 28 Mar. 2024
Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Golf is a sport that has a lot of highs and a lot of lows.
—Sam Lane, arkansasonline.com, 10 Apr. 2024
Tuesday night Showers and thunderstorms are likely, with showers after 4 a.m. Temps will reach a low of 57 with southeast winds traveling between 5 and 9 mph and an 80% chance of precipitation.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 9 Apr. 2024
By Friday night, conditions are set to dry up completely with mostly clear skies and a low of 39 degrees.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 5 Apr. 2024
But after the January 5 door plug blowout, causing a gaping hole in the side of the jet, Boeing’s reputation for safety and quality may have reached an all-time low.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
While there are many charging devices on the market, one of our favorites for travel — the Anker 321 Power Strip — is down to an all-time low of $14.96 ($11 off) at Amazon.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2024
Temperatures will be in the low to mid-50s for most of the week, five to 10 degrees below normal.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2024
There will be increasing clouds, with a low of around 51.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2024
David Streit, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
This relationship was reflected in the emotional celebrations of the Williams brothers, Iñaki and Nico, who were born in the Basque Country to Ghanaian parents and have experienced the highs and lows – but mostly lows – of playing for Athletic Club together.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
While the Fed recently raised its 2024 GDP forecast and lowed its year end unemployment rate prediction, emerging data show weakening retail sales, production and housing.
—Robert Barone, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
Confidence: High Tomorrow night: Winds gradually calm, and under clear skies, lows drop to the mid- to upper 30s.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
The version of you that is flush with cash picks up the tab and sorts high to low without a second’s thought.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Chilly overnight lows dip to the mid-20s to low 30s.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024
Uncover and stir in the coconut milk; reduce the heat to low and cook for 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
—Bonnie S. Benwick, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
On Friday and Saturday, the high and low temperatures are expected to drop to the normal range for this time of year: highs around 50 and lows around 30, Brad Temeyer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, told the Kansas City Star on Wednesday.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Advertisement Trump’s 2017 tax plan created Opportunity Zones, allowing investors could reap tax benefits by investing in certain low-income communities.
—Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
There’s no additional cost — in fact, residential customers get lower monthly rates for having compost and recycling bins, saving about $13 per month compared with trash bins alone.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024
Avoid puddles — Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024
The objective has been to get more money to families who receive a partial credit or none at all currently because their incomes are too low, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Boasting many top-tier amenities, the yacht includes a sports and diving center on the lower deck, multiple tenders ranging in size up to 50 feet and a large swimming pool.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024
Quality Service: Despite the lower costs, Turkey offers quality hair transplant services.
—Chris Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024
For example, a hotel may receive a low star rating due to cleanliness issues despite receiving praise for its excellent customer service.
—Laura Kegley, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Lloyd’s reported underwriting profit of £5.9 billion ($7.4 billion) for 2023 on Thursday, a £3.3 billion increase on the previous year due to lower costs from large risks and natural catastrophe claims.
—Bloomberg, Fortune Europe, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Mostly clear with diminishing winds Friday evening and overnight as lows drop back to the mid-40s to near 50.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Golf is a sport that has a lot of highs and a lot of lows.
—Sam Lane, arkansasonline.com, 10 Apr. 2024
Tuesday night Showers and thunderstorms are likely, with showers after 4 a.m. Temps will reach a low of 57 with southeast winds traveling between 5 and 9 mph and an 80% chance of precipitation.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 9 Apr. 2024
By Friday night, conditions are set to dry up completely with mostly clear skies and a low of 39 degrees.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 5 Apr. 2024
But after the January 5 door plug blowout, causing a gaping hole in the side of the jet, Boeing’s reputation for safety and quality may have reached an all-time low.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
While there are many charging devices on the market, one of our favorites for travel — the Anker 321 Power Strip — is down to an all-time low of $14.96 ($11 off) at Amazon.
—Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2024
Temperatures will be in the low to mid-50s for most of the week, five to 10 degrees below normal.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2024
There will be increasing clouds, with a low of around 51.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
Highs reach the low to mid-70s, and lows dip into the mid- to upper 50s.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
This relationship was reflected in the emotional celebrations of the Williams brothers, Iñaki and Nico, who were born in the Basque Country to Ghanaian parents and have experienced the highs and lows – but mostly lows – of playing for Athletic Club together.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
While the Fed recently raised its 2024 GDP forecast and lowed its year end unemployment rate prediction, emerging data show weakening retail sales, production and housing.
—Robert Barone, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
Confidence: High Tomorrow night: Winds gradually calm, and under clear skies, lows drop to the mid- to upper 30s.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
The version of you that is flush with cash picks up the tab and sorts high to low without a second’s thought.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Chilly overnight lows dip to the mid-20s to low 30s.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024
Uncover and stir in the coconut milk; reduce the heat to low and cook for 1 minute, then remove from the heat.
—Bonnie S. Benwick, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
On Friday and Saturday, the high and low temperatures are expected to drop to the normal range for this time of year: highs around 50 and lows around 30, Brad Temeyer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, told the Kansas City Star on Wednesday.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'low.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near low
Cite this Entry
“Low.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/low. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
low
2 of 3 adjectiveˈlō
lower
ˈlō(-ə)r
; lowest
ˈlō-əst
1
a
: not high or tall
a low wall
a low bridge
b
: cut far down at the neck
c
: not extending as high as the ankle
2
a
: placed or passing below the normal level
low ground
b
: marking a bottom
a low point of his career
3
: stricken sense 1, prostrate
laid low
4
a
: not loud : soft
a low whisper
b
: deep in pitch
a low note
5
a
: being near the equator
low northern latitudes
b
: being near the horizon
the sun is low
6
: poor entry 1 sense 1, lower-class
low birth
7
a
: feeble sense 1, weak
low with fever
b
: not cheerful or lively
in low spirits
8
: less than usual (as in number, amount, degree, or rank)
a low price
low pressure
9
a
: lacking dignity
a low style of writing
b
: morally deserving of criticism : base
a low trick
c
: coarse sense 5, vulgar
low language
10
: being less complex in structure and development than others
low animals
11
: not favorable
a low opinion of their work
low
adverb
lowness
noun
low
3 of 3 noun1
: something low
especially
: a region of low barometric pressure
2
: the arrangement of gears in an automobile that gives the lowest speed of travel
Medical Definition
low
adjective
: 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
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