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

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."

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 notes

In 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

zenith →

Common pairings

reach its nadir the nadir of an all-time nadir

Word forms

nadired past tense, nadirs plural, nadirs singular

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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."

Origin: Medieval Latin

Synonyms

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low-water mark

Rhymes for nadir

Kadir

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.