adj
Uncommon
lowly
LOH-lee
Lowly (adj) means Low in rank, importance, or status; humble. Example: “He started his career in a lowly clerical job before rising to CEO.”
adj
1
Low in rank, importance, or status; humble.
"He started his career in a lowly clerical job before rising to CEO."
"The prince disguised himself as a lowly servant."
adv
1
In a humble or modest manner.
"She spoke lowly of her own achievements, though she had done remarkable work."
How to use lowly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something or someone of humble, modest, or low rank/status.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "lonely" — they look similar but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a lowly position
lowly origins
lowly worker
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like lowly.
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
- Comparative
- lowlier, more lowly
- Superlative
- lowliest, most lowly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He started his career in a _____ clerical job before rising to CEO.
Etymology
From "low" plus the adjective/adverb suffix "-ly."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for lowly
See all rhymes for lowly →Frequently asked questions
What does “lowly” mean?
The word “lowly” means low in rank, importance, or status; humble. In plain terms, describes something or someone of humble, modest, or low rank/status.
How do you pronounce “lowly”?
“Lowly” is pronounced LOH-lee (/ˈloʊli/ in IPA).
How do you use “lowly” in a sentence?
Here is “lowly” used in a sentence: “He started his career in a lowly clerical job before rising to CEO.”
What part of speech is “lowly”?
Depending on how it is used, “lowly” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Is “lowly” a common word?
“Lowly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lowly” have?
“Lowly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: low in rank, importance, or status; humble.
