inferior - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

You might call something inferior if its quality isn't as good as another, comparable thing, like that kite that you can't get to fly no matter how fast you run back and forth while your friend's kite soars overhead.

Besides "lower in quality," another meaning of the adjective inferior is "lower in rank or status," the way a corporal is inferior to a general in the Army. The word inferior can also be used as a noun to mean "a person who is lower in rank or status," in which case you might say to your younger brother, "You are my inferior, therefore you should take out the trash."

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: inferior

1	adj n	of or characteristic of low rank or importance one of lesser rank or station or quality
2	adj n	lower than a given reference point a character or symbol set or printed or written beneath or slightly below and to the side of another character
3	adj	having an orbit between the sun and the Earth's orbit

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: inferior

1

adj of or characteristic of low rank or importance

Synonyms: low-level, subordinate
lower in rank or importance; low
literal meanings; being at or having a relatively small elevation or upward extension; low
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount; humble, low, lowly, modest, small
low or inferior in station or quality; indifferent
fairly poor to not very good; low-level
at a low level in rank or importance; middle-level
intermediate in rank or position; outclassed
decisively surpassed by something else so as to appear to be of a lower class

Antonyms:: superior
of or characteristic of high rank or importance; dominant
exercising influence or control; high
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount; arch, condescending, patronising, patronizing
(used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension; eminent, high
standing above others in quality or position; leading, preeminent
greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement; high-level, high-ranking, upper-level
at an elevated level in rank or importance; majestic, olympian
majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters; superordinate
of higher rank or status or value; upper
superior in rank or accomplishment; show more antonyms...

adj of low or inferior quality

Synonyms: worst
(superlative of `bad') most wanting in quality or value or condition; bad
below average in quality or performance; base
(used of metals) consisting of or alloyed with inferior metal; bum, cheap, cheesy, chintzy, crummy, punk, sleazy, tinny
of very poor quality; flimsy; bush, bush-league
not of the highest quality or sophistication; cheapjack, shoddy, tawdry
cheap and shoddy; coarse, common
of low or inferior quality or value; coarsened
made coarse or crude by lack of skill; commercial, commercial-grade
of the kind or quality used in commerce; average or inferior; deplorable, execrable, miserable, woeful, wretched
of very poor quality or condition; less
(usually preceded by `no') lower in quality; low-grade
of inferior quality; mediocre, second-rate
moderate to inferior in quality; ropey, ropy
(British informal) very poor in quality; scrawny, scrubby, stunted
inferior in size or quality; second-class
of inferior status or quality; third-rate
of lesser quality than second-rate; utility, utility-grade
used of beef; usable but inferior

Antonyms:: superior
of high or superior quality or performance; best
(superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities; A-one, ace, crack, first-rate, super, tiptop, top-notch, topnotch, tops
of the highest quality; banner
unusually good; outstanding; blue-ribbon, select
selected or chosen for special qualifications; boss, brag
exceptionally good; brilliant, superb
of surpassing excellence; capital
first-rate; choice, prime, prize, quality, select
of superior grade; excellent, fantabulous, first-class, splendid
very good;of the highest quality; gilt-edged
of the highest quality or value; greatest, sterling, superlative
highest in quality; high-performance
modified to give superior performance; outstanding
distinguished from others in excellence; premium
having or reflecting superior quality or value; pucka, pukka
absolutely first class and genuine; shining
marked by exceptional merit; spiffing
excellent or splendid; supreme
highest in excellence or achievement; top-flight, top-hole, topping
excellent; best possible; surpassing, transcendent
exceeding or surpassing usual limits especially in excellence; weapons-grade
of a quality adequate for use in weapons (especially in weapons of mass destruction); well-made
skillfully constructed; show more antonyms...

adj falling short of some prescribed norm

Synonyms:: deficient, substandard

: nonstandard
varying from or not adhering to a standard

n one of lesser rank or station or quality

Antonyms:: higher-up, superior, superordinate
one of greater rank or station or quality

Type of:: follower
a person who accepts the leadership of another

2

adj lower than a given reference point

“inferior alveolar artery”

Synonyms: bottom
situated at the bottom or lowest position

adj written or printed below and to one side of another character

Synonyms:: subscript

Antonyms:: superior, superscript
written or printed above and to one side of another character; adscript
written or printed immediately following another character and aligned with it; show more antonyms...

n a character or symbol set or printed or written beneath or slightly below and to the side of another character

Synonyms:: subscript

Antonyms:: superior, superscript
a character or symbol set or printed or written above and immediately to one side of another character

Type of:: character, grapheme, graphic symbol
a written symbol that is used to represent speech

3

adj having an orbit between the sun and the Earth's orbit

“Mercury and Venus are inferior planets”

Antonyms:: superior
having an orbit farther from the sun than the Earth's orbit