noun
lowdown
Lowdown (noun) means Informal: the true facts or inside information about something. Example: “Give me the lowdown on what happened at the meeting.”
noun
1
Informal: the true facts or inside information about something.
"to give somebody the lowdown"
"All the reporters hoped to be the first to get the lowdown on the celebrity's marriage plans."
"Give me the lowdown on what happened at the meeting."
adj
1
Mean, dishonorable, or shameful.
"That was a lowdown thing to do to a friend."
How to use lowdown
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe real story or inside details, or (as an adjective) shabby and dishonorable.
When to use it
Informal, mostly used in speech.
Common pairings
give me the lowdown
a lowdown trick
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more lowdown
- Superlative
- most lowdown
Fill the gap
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Give me the _____ on what happened at the meeting.
Etymology
From low plus down, originally meaning "humble," later shifting to slang for secret/inside information by the early 1900s.
Class of 1900
lowdown joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for lowdown
See all rhymes for lowdown →Frequently asked questions
What does “lowdown” mean?
The word “lowdown” means informal: the true facts or inside information about something. In plain terms, the real story or inside details, or (as an adjective) shabby and dishonorable.
How do you use “lowdown” in a sentence?
Here is “lowdown” used in a sentence: “Give me the lowdown on what happened at the meeting.”
What part of speech is “lowdown”?
Depending on how it is used, “lowdown” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “lowdown” come from?
The word “lowdown” dates back to around 1900. From low plus down, originally meaning "humble," later shifting to slang for secret/inside information by the early 1900s.
How many meanings does “lowdown” have?
“Lowdown” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal: the true facts or inside information about something.
