noun
nadir
NAY-deer
Nadir (noun) means the lowest point of something, especially a low point in someone's fortunes or a situation. Example: “The team's humiliating defeat marked the nadir of their season.”
noun
1
The lowest point of something, especially a low point in someone's fortunes or a situation.
"The team's humiliating defeat marked the nadir of their season."
"His career hit its nadir when the company he founded went bankrupt."
2
In astronomy, the point in the sky directly below an observer, opposite the zenith.
"The star was at its nadir, invisible below the horizon."
How to use nadir
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe absolute low point of something — the opposite of a peak.
Common mistake
Nadir means the lowest point, not just "a low point" — reserve it for the worst moment, not any minor setback.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reach its nadir
the nadir of
an all-time nadir
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Word forms
- Plural
- nadirs
- Third person singular
- nadirs
- Past tense
- nadired
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The team's humiliating defeat marked the _____ of their season.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin nadir, from Arabic naẓīr as-samt, meaning "counterpart of the zenith."
Synonyms
View more →
low-water mark
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for nadir
See all rhymes for nadir →Frequently asked questions
What does “nadir” mean?
The word “nadir” means the lowest point of something, especially a low point in someone's fortunes or a situation. In plain terms, the absolute low point of something — the opposite of a peak.
How do you pronounce “nadir”?
“Nadir” is pronounced NAY-deer (/ˈneɪˌdɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “nadir” in a sentence?
Here is “nadir” used in a sentence: “The team's humiliating defeat marked the nadir of their season.”
What part of speech is “nadir”?
“Nadir” is a noun.
Where does the word “nadir” come from?
The word “nadir” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin nadir, from Arabic naẓīr as-samt, meaning "counterpart of the zenith.".
How many meanings does “nadir” have?
“Nadir” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the lowest point of something, especially a low point in someone's fortunes or a situation.
