low
LOH
Low (adj) means Close to the ground or to a base level; not high. Example: “The ceiling in the attic was too low to stand up straight.”
adj
1
Close to the ground or to a base level; not high.
"The ceiling in the attic was too low to stand up straight."
"The shelf is low, so even small children can reach it."
"Duck your head, because the beam in the doorway is low."
2
Small in amount, degree, or intensity.
"Interest rates are at a historic low."
"The car runs on low fuel."
"Her energy was low after a long week at work."
3
Feeling sad or depressed.
"He's been feeling low since the breakup."
"I felt low all day after hearing the bad news."
"She sounded a bit low on the phone last night."
4
Deep or quiet in sound or pitch.
"She spoke in a low voice so no one else would hear."
"The cello made a warm, low sound that filled the room."
"He gave a low whistle when he saw the huge cake."
noun
1
The lowest point or level something reaches.
"The stock market hit a new low this week."
"Sales dropped to a low in the quiet winter months."
"Morale hit a low when the project was delayed again."
verb
1
Of cattle: to make a deep, sustained sound; to moo.
"The cows lowed in the distance as the sun set."
"A single cow lowed softly from the barn as the farmer opened the door."
"We could hear the herd lowing across the misty field before dawn."
How to use low
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot high — in height, amount, mood, sound, or price.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the adjective "low" with the verb "low" (to moo), which is rare and mostly literary/agricultural.
Common pairings
low point
feel low
low voice
all-time low
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Word forms
- Plural
- lows
- Third person singular
- lows
- Past tense
- lowed
- Comparative
- lower
- Superlative
- lowest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ceiling in the attic was too _____ to stand up straight.
Etymology
From Old Norse lagr, "low, lying flat," related to the verb "lie."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for low
See all rhymes for low →Frequently asked questions
What does “low” mean?
The word “low” means close to the ground or to a base level; not high. In plain terms, not high — in height, amount, mood, sound, or price.
How do you pronounce “low”?
“Low” is pronounced LOH (/ˈloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “low” in a sentence?
Here is “low” used in a sentence: “The ceiling in the attic was too low to stand up straight.”
What is another word for “low”?
Words with a similar meaning to “low” include Synonyms: immoral, abject, scummy and scurvy.
What part of speech is “low”?
Depending on how it is used, “low” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “low” come from?
The word “low” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse lagr, "low, lying flat," related to the verb "lie.".
Is “low” a common word?
“Low” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “low” have?
“Low” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: close to the ground or to a base level; not high.
What is the difference between low and short?
'Low' describes how close something is to the ground or to a base level — a low ceiling, a low wall. 'Short' describes small length or height overall — a short person, a short stick. A shelf can be low (near the floor) without being short, and something short can sit high up.
What is the opposite of low?
The main opposite of 'low' is 'high,' meaning far above the ground or base level. Depending on what is described, 'tall,' 'elevated,' or 'raised' can also serve as opposites. A low wall contrasts with a high wall; a low price contrasts with a high one.
Can 'low' describe more than height?
Yes. Beyond being close to the ground, 'low' can describe a small amount or level — a low price, a low temperature, low volume. It can also describe a deep sound, as in a low note, or a sad mood, as in feeling low. Context shows which sense is meant.
What is an example of something low?
A coffee table is low to the ground, and a basement sits at a low level in a building. A low fence is easy to step over, and a plane flying low passes close overhead. In each case, 'low' shows nearness to the ground or a base level.
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