Definition of "low" in English

adjective

Situated close to, or even below, the ground or another normal reference plane; not high or lofty.
- standing on low ground
- in a low valley, ringed by low hills
- a low wall a low shelf
Of less than normal height or upward extent or growth, or of greater than normal depth or recession; below the average or normal level from which elevation is measured.
- a low bow
- a low tide
- the Mississippi is unusually low right now
- It is a little low hearb […]
- "Now you mention her, I do remember the young lady," said Mrs. Grantly; "a dark girl, very low, and without much figure. She seemed to me to keep very much in the background."
Not high in status, esteem, or rank, dignity, or quality. (Compare vulgar.)
- low birth
- low rank
- the low officials of the bureaucracy
- low-quality fabric
- playing low tricks on them
- a person of low mind
- Now that was low even for you!
Humble, meek, not haughty.
Disparaging; assigning little value or excellence.
- She had a low opinion of cats. He took a low view of dogs.
Being a nadir, a bottom.
- the low point in her career
Depressed in mood, dejected, sad.
- low spirits
Lacking health or vitality, strength or vivacity; feeble; weak.
- a low pulse
- made (or: laid) low by sickness
Dead. (Compare lay low.)
Small, not high (in amount or quantity, value, force, energy, etc).
- My credit union charges a low interest rate. Jogging during a whiteout, with such low temperatures and low visibility, is dangerous. The store sold bread at low prices, and milk at even lower prices. The contractors gave a low estimate of the costs. low cholesterol a low voltage wire a low number
(especially in biology) Simple in complexity or development.
- low protozoan animals, low cryptogamic plants, and other low organisms
(chiefly in several set phrases) Favoring simplicity (see e.g. low church, Low Tory).
(in several set phrases) Being near the equator.
- the low northern latitudes

(acoustics) Grave in pitch, due to being produced by relatively slow vibrations (wave oscillations); flat.

The note was too low for her to sing.
Generally, European men have lower voices than their Indian counterparts.

Quiet; soft; not loud.

They spoke in low voices so I would not hear what they were saying.
Why would you want to play heavy metal at such a low volume?

(phonetics) Made with a relatively large opening between the tongue and the palate; made with (part of) the tongue positioned low in the mouth, relative to the palate.

(card games) Lesser in value than other cards, denominations, suits, etc.

a low card

(now rare) Not rich or seasoned; offering the minimum of nutritional requirements; plain, simple.

(of an automobile, gear, etc) Designed for a slow (or the slowest) speed.

low gear

noun

A low point or position, literally (as, a depth) or figuratively (as, a nadir, a time when things are at their worst, least, minimum, etc).
- You have achieved a new low in behavior, Frank.
- Economic growth has hit a new low.
- Unemployment has reached a ten-year low.
A period of depression; a depressed mood or situation.
- He is in a low right now. the highs and lows of bipolar disorder
(meteorology, informal) An area of low pressure; a depression.
- A deep low is centred over the British Isles.
The lowest-speed gearing of a power-transmission system, especially of an automotive vehicle.
- Shift out of low before the car gets to eight miles per hour.
(card games) The lowest trump, usually the deuce; the lowest trump dealt or drawn.
(slang, usually accompanied by "the") A cheap, cost-efficient, or advantageous price.
- He got the brand new Yankees jersey for the low.

adverb

Close to the ground.
Of a pitch, at a lower frequency.
With a low voice or sound; not loudly; gently.
- to speak low
Under the usual price; at a moderate price; cheaply.
- He sold his wheat low.
In a low mean condition; humbly; meanly.
In a time approaching our own.
(astronomy) In a path near the equator, so that the declination is small, or near the horizon, so that the altitude is small; said of the heavenly bodies with reference to the diurnal revolution.
- The moon runs low, i.e. comparatively near the horizon when on or near the meridian.

verb

(obsolete, transitive) To lower; to make low.
- I shall only say this, that all the other graces must low the sail to faith, and so it is faith must carry us through, being that last triumphing grace, […]
- Now to use these as Hypotheseis, as himself in his Word, is pleas'd to low himself to our capacities, is allowable:

verb

(obsolete) simple past of laugh.

verb

(intransitive) To moo.
- The cattle were lowing.

noun

(countable, UK, Scotland, dialect) A flame; fire; blaze.

verb

(UK, Scotland, dialect) To burn; to blaze.
- Driest wood will eithest low,

noun

(archaic or obsolete) Barrow, mound, tumulus.
(Scottish dialectal, archaic) A hill.

verb

Alternative form of 'low.