First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1low
verb \ˈlō\
Definition of LOW
intransitive verb
: moo
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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
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
1
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>
2
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>
3
: dead —used as a predicate adjective with lay <laid the enemy low>
4
5
a : being near the equator <low northern latitudes> b : being near the horizon
6
: socially or economically humble in character or status <a person of low birth>
7
8
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
9
10
a : not advanced in complexity, development, or elaboration <low organisms> b often capitalized : low church
11
: unfavorable, disparaging <had a low opinion of him>
12
: designed for slow and usually the slowest speed <low gear>
13
: articulated with a wide opening between the relatively flat tongue and the palate : open <\ä\ is a low vowel>
14
: intended to attract little attention <kept a low profile>
15
: 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
1
: something that is low: as a : depth <a new low in advertising> b : a region of low barometric pressure
2
: the transmission gear of an automotive vehicle giving the lowest ratio of driveshaft to crankshaft speed
First Known Use of LOW
12th century
5low
noun \ˈlō\
Definition of LOW
chiefly ScottishVariants 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
ScottishVariants 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
LOW[1] 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
1
: not high or tall <a low building>
2
: lying or going below the usual level <low ground> <a low bow>
3
: not loud : soft <a low whisper>
4
: deep in pitch <a low voice>
5
: not cheerful : sad <low spirits>
6
: less than usual (as in quantity or value) <low prices> <low temperatures>
7
: less than enough <Our supply is getting low.>
8
: not strong <low winds>
4low
noun
Definition of LOW for Kids
1
: a point or level that is the least in degree, size, or amount <The temperature hit a low of ten degrees.>
2
: a region of reduced barometric pressure
3
: 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
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