lower
LOH-uh
Lower (verb) means to move something down, or reduce its height, amount, or intensity. Example: “They lowered the flag to half-mast.”
verb
1
To move something down, or reduce its height, amount, or intensity.
"They lowered the flag to half-mast."
"The bank lowered its interest rates."
"Please lower your voice because the baby is sleeping."
2
To bring down in dignity or status; to demean.
"He refused to lower himself to their level of insults."
"I would never lower myself by lying just to get a better job."
"She felt it would lower her to gossip about her colleagues."
How to use lower
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo bring something down, or to reduce it.
Common pairings
lower your voice
lower prices
lower yourself
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Word forms
- Plural
- lowers
- Third person singular
- lowers
- Past tense
- lowered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They _____ the flag to half-mast.
Etymology
The comparative form of low, formed with the suffix -er.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lower
See all rhymes for lower →Frequently asked questions
What does “lower” mean?
The word “lower” means to move something down, or reduce its height, amount, or intensity. In plain terms, to bring something down, or to reduce it.
How do you pronounce “lower”?
“Lower” is pronounced LOH-uh (/ˈloʊ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lower” in a sentence?
Here is “lower” used in a sentence: “They lowered the flag to half-mast.”
What is another word for “lower”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lower” include drop, fall, fall off, shrink, become and get lower.
What part of speech is “lower”?
“Lower” is a verb.
Is “lower” a common word?
“Lower” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “lower” have?
“Lower” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move something down, or reduce its height, amount, or intensity.
What is the difference between 'lower' and 'reduce'?
'Lower' can mean physically moving something down, like lowering a flag, or decreasing a level, like lowering prices. 'Reduce' means only to make something smaller in amount, size, or degree, with no sense of physical position. They overlap when talking about numbers, so 'lower the cost' and 'reduce the cost' both work.
What is the opposite of 'lower'?
It depends on the sense. When 'lower' means to move something down, the opposite is 'raise' or 'lift.' When it means to decrease an amount or intensity, the opposite is 'increase,' 'raise,' or 'boost.' So you might raise a flag or increase a price, both reversing the act of lowering.
What is the difference between 'lower' and 'descend'?
'Lower' is usually transitive, meaning you lower something else, like lowering a bucket into a well. 'Descend' is intransitive, meaning the subject itself goes down, as when a plane descends. In short, you lower an object, but you descend when you yourself move to a lower position.
Can you 'lower' your voice?
Yes. To lower your voice means to make it quieter or deeper, reducing its volume or pitch. This use reflects the broader meaning of 'lower,' to reduce intensity. You can likewise lower the heat, lower your expectations, or lower the lights, each time bringing something down in strength or degree.
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