26984 words

low

34 definitions • 66 examples
1
not measuring much from the base to the top:

Examples:

a low fence
2
close to the ground or the bottom of something:

Examples:

a low ceiling
When we went skiing, I only went on the lower slopes.
3

Examples:

Temperatures are very low for the time of year.
The big supermarket offers the lowest prices in town.
These people are living on relatively low incomes.
low-cost There is a tremendous need for more low-cost housing.
low-fat A low-fat diet reduces the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
low-alcohol Sales of low-alcohol beers have been rising over the past 12 months.
low in Vegetables are generally low in (= do not contain many) calories.
4
producing only a small amount of sound, heat, or light:

Examples:

They spoke in low voices so I would not hear what they were saying.
Turn the oven to a low heat.
Soft music was playing and the lights were low.
5
of bad quality, especially when referring to something that is not as good as it should be:

Examples:

low standards
I have a very low opinion of him.
She has very low self-esteem.
6
not considered important because of being at or near the bottom of a range of things, especially jobs or social positions:

Examples:

low status jobs
a low priority task
7
not honest or fair:

Examples:

How low can you get?
That was a pretty low trick to play.
8
(of a sound or voice) near or at the bottom of the range of sounds:

Examples:

He has a very low voice.
Those low notes are played by the double bass.
9

Examples:

Illness of any sort can leave you feeling low.
He seemed in low spirits.
10
in basketball, relating to the playing area near to the basket (= the post with a ring and a net at the top where players throw the ball to score):

Examples:

in the low post They wanted someone who would be a threat in the low post (= the area near the basket).
11
close to the ground or the bottom of something:

Examples:

12
at or to a low level:

Examples:

low-paid workers
Turn the oven on low.
13
to have nearly finished a supply of something:

Examples:

We're running low on milk - could you buy some more?
14
to make the deep, long sound of a cow
15
a bad time in someone's life:

Examples:

highs and lows the highs and lows of an acting career
16
the lowest level:

Examples:

The dollar has hit an all-time low against the Japanese yen.
17
not high or tall; close to the ground, or near the bottom of something:

Examples:

a low fence/ceiling
Until I’m a better skier, I’ll stay on the lower slopes.
That plane is flying awfully low.
18
smaller than the usual or average size, number, value, or amount:

Examples:

They have the lowest food prices in town.
Temperatures will dip lower near the end of the week.
Believe it or not, this dessert is low in calories.
19
If a supply of something becomes low, you have very little of it left:

Examples:

We’re running low on gas.
20
Low can also mean producing only a small amount of sound, heat, or light:

Examples:

They spoke in low voices.
She turned the heat down low.
21
Low can also mean of bad quality:

Examples:

My test results were disappointingly low.
22
not important, or not of high rank:

Examples:

23
(of a sound or voice) near or at the bottom of the range of sounds:

Examples:

a low voice/note
24
If a sound is low-pitched, it is at the bottom of the range of sounds:

Examples:

He gave a low-pitched whistle and his dog came running.
25
(of behavior or speech) mean or unfair:

Examples:

What a cruel comment – how low can you get?
26

Examples:

She’s feeling pretty low because she failed her driver’s test.
27
a smaller than usual amount or level, or the smallest amount or level:

Examples:

Enrollment at the college reached new lows this fall.
The temperature in Boston reached a record low last night.
28

Examples:

The offer was rejected on the grounds that it was too low.
low inflation/interest rates/taxes The housing boom coincided with a flat economy, low inflation, and a falling stock market.
Interest rates fell to their lowest level since records began in January 1975.
These dedicated staff put up with long hours and low pay, because they love the job.
29
not very good or acceptable:

Examples:

low quality/standards Attempts at voluntary regulation had failed because too many companies with low standards had not joined the system.
30
not important because of being at the bottom of a range or group of things:

Examples:

Transport was a low priority for the new administration.
More flexible working conditions are changing the traditionally low status of part-time jobs.
31
to have very little of something left:

Examples:

Gas stations were running low on supplies due to the blockade.
This symbol means the printer ink is getting low.
32
at a level which is less than usual or expected:

Examples:

Working from home and communicating online helped them keep costs low while they were setting up their new business.
33
at or to a position of less importance:

Examples:

Ethics training ranks low on the manager's priority list.
34
the lowest level that something has reached since it has been measured or during a particular period:

Examples:

hit/fall to a low The company's stock fell to a six-month low.
a new/record/all-time low The dollar hit a record low against the euro and was down sharply against the Japanese yen.
The price of oil has nearly doubled from last year's lows.

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