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¹low

verb \ˈlō\

Definition of LOW

intransitive verb

: moo

Origin of LOW

Middle English loowen, from Old English hlōwan; akin to Old High German hluoen to moo, Latin calare to call, summon, Greek kalein

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with LOW

beau, blow, bow, bro, Chou, crow, do, doe, dough, floe, flow, foe, fro, froe, glow, go, grow, ho, hoe, jo, Jo, joe, know, lo, mho, mot, mow, no, No, O, oh, owe, Poe, pow, pro, rho, roe, row, Rowe, schmo, sew, show, sloe, slow, snow, so, sow, stow, Stowe, strow, though, throe, throw, toe, tow, trow, whoa, woe, yo

²low

noun

Definition of LOW

: the deep sustained sound characteristic especially of a cow

First Known Use of LOW

1549

³low

adjective

: not rising or extending upward a great distance

: extending or reaching upward less than other things of the same kind

: not located far above the ground or another surface

low·er \ˈlō-ər\ low·est \ˈlō-əst\

Full Definition of LOW

a : having a small upward extension or elevation <a low wall>

b : situated or passing little above a reference line, point, or plane <low bridges>

c (1) : having a low-cut neckline (2) : not extending as high as the ankle <low oxfords>

a : situated or passing below the normal level, surface, or base of measurement, or the mean elevation <low ground>

b : marking a nadir or bottom <the low point of his career>

: dead —used as a predicate adjective with lay <laid the enemy low>

a : not loud : soft

b : flat 8a

c : characterized by being toward the bottom of the range of pitch attainable (as by an instrument)

a : being near the equator <low northern latitudes>

b : being near the horizon

: socially or economically humble in character or status <a person of low birth>

a : lacking strength, health, or vitality : weak, prostrate <very low with pneumonia>

b : lacking spirit or vivacity : depressed <a low frame of mind>

a : of lesser degree, size, or amount than average or ordinary <low energy>

b (1) : small in number or amount (2) : substandard, inadequate <a low level of employment> <a low income group> (3) : cheap <low prices> (4) : short, depleted <oil is in low supply>

c : of lesser position, rank, or order

: falling short of some standard: as

a : lacking dignity or elevation <a low style of writing>

b : morally reprehensible : base <a low trick>

c : coarse, vulgar <low language>

a : not advanced in complexity, development, or elaboration <low organisms>

b often capitalized : low church

: unfavorable, disparaging <had a low opinion of him>

: designed for slow and usually the slowest speed <low gear>

: articulated with a wide opening between the relatively flat tongue and the palate : open <\ä\ is a low vowel>

: intended to attract little attention <kept a low profile>

: being near the basket or net <a player in the low post>

— low adverb

— low·ness noun

See low defined for English-language learners

Origin of LOW

Middle English lah, low, from Old Norse lāgr; akin to Middle High German læge low, flat; probably akin to Old English licgan to lie

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to LOW

Synonyms: equatorial, tropical

Antonyms: polar

Synonym Discussion of LOW

base, low, vile mean deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values. base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness <base motives>. low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety <refused to listen to such low talk>. vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth <a vile remark>.

⁴low

noun

Definition of LOW

: something that is low: as

a : depth <a new low in advertising>

b : a region of low barometric pressure

: the transmission gear of an automotive vehicle giving the lowest ratio of driveshaft to crankshaft speed

First Known Use of LOW

12th century

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

⁵low

noun \ˈlō\

Definition of LOW

chiefly Scottish

: flame, blaze

Variants of LOW

low or lowe \ˈlō\

Origin of LOW

Middle English, from Old Norse logi, log; akin to Old English lēoht light — more at light

First Known Use: 13th century

⁶low

verb

lowedlow·ing

Definition of LOW

Scottish

: flame, blaze

Variants of LOW

low or lowe

First Known Use of LOW

14th century

Low

biographical name \ˈlō\

Definition of LOW

Sir David Alexander Cecil 1891–1963 British cartoonist

LOWEST Defined for Kids

¹low

verb \ˈlō\

lowedlow·ing

Definition of LOW for Kids

: to make the sound of a cow : moo

²low

noun

Definition of LOW for Kids

: the mooing of a cow

³low

adjective

low·erlow·est

Definition of LOW for Kids

: not high or tall <a low building>

: lying or going below the usual level <low ground> <a low bow>

: not loud : soft <a low whisper>

: deep in pitch <a low voice>

: not cheerful : sad <low spirits>

: less than usual (as in quantity or value) <low prices> <low temperatures>

: less than enough <Our supply is getting low.>

: not strong <low winds>

: not favorable : poor <I have a low opinion of him.>

— low·ness noun

⁴low

noun

Definition of LOW for Kids

: a point or level that is the least in degree, size, or amount <The temperature hit a low of ten degrees.>

: a region of reduced barometric pressure

: the arrangement of gears in an automobile that gives the slowest speed of travel

⁵low

adverb

low·erlow·est

Definition of LOW for Kids

: so as to be low <fly low> <sing low>

Medical Dictionary

low

adjective \ˈlō\

low·er \ˈlō(-ə)r\ low·est \ˈlō-əst\

Medical Definition of LOW

: having a relatively less complex organization : not greatly differentiated or developed phylogenetically—usually used in the comparative degree of less advanced types of plants and animals <the lower vertebrates>; compare high 1