English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Login Flashcards
noun Common

lowering

LOH-uh-rihng
Quiz me More like this

Lowering (noun) means the act of bringing something down or reducing it. Example: “The lowering of the drawbridge signaled the ceremony had begun.”

noun
1
The act of bringing something down or reducing it.
"The lowering of the drawbridge signaled the ceremony had begun."
"The slow lowering of the flag marked the end of the day."
"Careful lowering of the boat into the water takes two people."
adj
1
Dark, threatening, and gloomy, especially describing the sky or someone's expression.
"Lowering clouds gathered before the storm."
"A lowering sky hung over the hills, and the walkers hurried back to the car."
"He gave the waiter a lowering glare when the soup arrived cold."

How to use lowering

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBringing something down, or (as an adjective) looking dark and menacing.

Common mistake

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.

Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like lowering.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
lowerings
Comparative
more lowering
Superlative
most lowering
Test yourself on “lowering” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of the drawbridge signaled the ceremony had begun.

Etymology

c. 1600, "descend, sink, grow less or lower" (intransitive), from lower (adj.), comparative of low (adj.). Transitive meaning "let down, cause to descend" attested from 1650s. Related: Lowered; lowering. In the transitive sense "to cause to descend" the older verb was low. From Middle English lahghenn, (c. 1200), which continued in use into the 18c.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

View more →
reduction decrease gloomy threatening overcast heavy sullen

Antonyms

increase raising

Related words

down happy sound fall lower increase dark build

Rhymes for lowering

peering tapering covering offering entering altering cheering steering uttering ordering towering wavering
See all 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.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include lowering:

Words that start with L

People also searched

down happy sound fall lower increase dark build
etymology from Wiktionary