First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
inferior
adjective in·fe·ri·or \in-ˈfir-ē-ər\
: of poor quality : low or lower in quality
: of little or less importance or value
: low or lower in rank
Full Definition of INFERIOR
1
: situated lower down : lower
2
a : of low or lower degree or rank b : of poor quality : mediocre
3
: of little or less importance, value, or merit <always felt inferior to his older brother>
4
a : situated below another and especially another similar superior part of an upright body b : situated in a relatively low posterior or ventral position in a quadrupedal body c (1) : situated below another plant part or organ (2) : abaxial
5
: relating to or being a subscript
— inferior noun
— in·fe·ri·or·i·ty \(ˌ)in-ˌfir-ē-ˈȯr-ə-tē, -ˈär-\ noun
— in·fe·ri·or·ly \in-ˈfir-ē-ər-lē\ adverb
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See inferior defined for kids
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Examples of INFERIOR
- … the pearls were of inferior quality; they looked like pearlized globs of varying wrinkly shapes. —Tracie Rozhon, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2002
- Sharks, rays, and ratfishes share a special burden: these cartilaginous fishes are saddled with a reputation for being somehow inferior to vertebrates blessed with bony skeletons. —Carl Zimmer, Natural History, September 2000
- No longer do workers and peasants feel inferior to the university-trained. —Rhea Menzel Whitehead, Saturday Review, 4 Mar. 1972
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Origin of INFERIOR
Middle English, from Latin, comparative of inferus lower — more at under
INFERIOR Defined for Kids
1inferior
adjective in·fe·ri·or \in-ˈfir-ē-ər\
Definition of INFERIOR for Kids
1
: situated lower down (as in place or importance) <an inferior court>
2
: of little or less importance, value, or merit <He always felt inferior to his brother.>
3
: of poor quality <an inferior education>
2inferior
noun
Definition of INFERIOR for Kids
: a less important person or thing
Medical Dictionary
inferior
adjective in·fe·ri·or \in-ˈfir-ē-ər\
Medical Definition of INFERIOR
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