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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

: situated lower down : lower

a : of low or lower degree or rank

b : of poor quality : mediocre

: of little or less importance, value, or merit <always felt inferior to his older brother>

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

: 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

See inferior defined for English-language learners

See inferior defined for kids

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INFERIOR

Synonyms: lower, nether

Antonyms: higher, superior, upper

Rhymes with INFERIOR

anterior, exterior, interior, posterior, superior, ulterior

INFERIORLY Defined for Kids

¹inferior

adjective in·fe·ri·or \in-ˈfir-ē-ər\

Definition of INFERIOR for Kids

: situated lower down (as in place or importance) <an inferior court>

: of little or less importance, value, or merit <He always felt inferior to his brother.>

: 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

: situated below and closer to the feet than another and especially another similar part of an upright body especially of a human being—compare superior 1

: situated in a more posterior or ventral position in the body of a quadruped—compare superior 2