lowering
Lowering (noun) means the act of bringing something down or reducing it. Example: “The lowering of the drawbridge signaled the ceremony had begun.”
How to Use Lowering
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBringing something down, or (as an adjective) looking dark and menacing.
Don't confuse this "lowering" (menacing, related to "lower" meaning to frown) with the ordinary sense of "lowering" something physically — same spelling, different origin and feel.
Word Forms
more lowering comparative, lowerings plural, most lowering superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the drawbridge signaled the ceremony had begun.
Related Words
Rhymes for lowering
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “lowering” mean?
The word “lowering” means the act of bringing something down or reducing it. In plain terms, bringing something down, or (as an adjective) looking dark and menacing.
How do you pronounce “lowering”?
“Lowering” is pronounced LOH-uh-rihng (/ˈloʊ.ɚ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lowering” in a sentence?
Here is “lowering” used in a sentence: “The lowering of the drawbridge signaled the ceremony had begun.”
What part of speech is “lowering”?
Depending on how it is used, “lowering” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “lowering” a common word?
“Lowering” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lowering” have?
“Lowering” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of bringing something down or reducing it.
What is the difference between lowering as a noun and lowering as an adjective?
As a noun, lowering means the act of bringing something down or reducing it, such as the lowering of prices or a flag. As an adjective, lowering describes something dark, threatening, and gloomy, especially a sky or someone's expression, as in "lowering clouds."
Can lowering describe a person's expression, not just the sky?
Yes, the adjective sense of lowering can describe someone's expression as dark and threatening, not only weather. A "lowering look" suggests a gloomy or sullen facial expression.
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