adj
inferior
ihn-FEER-ree-uh
adj
1
Lower in rank, quality, or importance than something or someone else.
"The reviewer called the sequel clearly inferior to the original film."
"He was never made to feel inferior just because he hadn't been to university."
2
Situated lower down, especially in anatomy — closer to the feet than another part.
"The inferior surface of the lung sits just above the diaphragm."
noun
1
A person ranked or regarded as lower in status or ability.
"He always treated junior staff as inferiors rather than colleagues."
How to Use Inferior
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWorse, lower-ranked, or positioned below something else, depending on context.
Common mistake
Used with "to," not "than" — "inferior to the original," not "inferior than."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
inferior quality
inferior to
feel inferior
Word Forms
more inferior comparative, inferiors plural, most inferior superlative
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Etymology
From Latin inferior, "lower," the comparative form of inferus, "below."