26984 words

lower

9 definitions • 20 examples
1
to move something into a low position:

Examples:

They lowered the coffin into the grave.
lower yourself Heavily pregnant by now, she lowered herself carefully into the chair.
lower your eyes He lowered his eyes (= looked down) in embarrassment when he saw me.
2
to reduce something:

Examples:

Interest rates have been lowered again.
Boil for five minutes, then lower the heat and simmer for half an hour.
Please lower your voice (= speak more quietly).
3
to make something worse than it was before:

Examples:

lower the tone humorous Dale lowered the tone of the evening (= made it less socially acceptable) by telling a dirty joke.
4
to behave in a way that makes people lose respect for you:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] I wouldn't lower myself to respond to his insults if I were you.
5
(of the sky) to be dark so that it looks as though it is going to rain:

Examples:

The sky lowered and it began to rain.
6
positioned below one or more similar things, or of the bottom part of something:

Examples:

the lower deck of a ship
Her lower lip trembled as if she were about to cry.
I've got a pain in my lower (= the bottom part of my) back.
7
to reduce something, or to become less:

Examples:

[ T ] They lowered the asking price of their house.
[ T ] Please lower your voice (= speak more softly).
8
to let or bring someone or something down, or make something less high:

Examples:

She lowered the blinds to block out the afternoon sun.
9
to reduce the level, price, etc. of something:

Navigation