low

When you travel through a low tunnel, you might be tempted to duck your head. Something that's low is short or shallow.

Things that are less than usual can be described with the adjective low. You might be low on gas in your car, for example, or wake up with a low amount of energy. A low ceiling can be dangerous for a very tall person, and a low voice can barely be heard. You can also talk about a gloomy mood as being low. And when cows moo, whether they're feeling low or not, you can cay that they low.

Primary Meanings of low

1.
 adjnadv
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
a low level or position or degree
in a low position; near the ground
2.
 adj
low or inferior in station or quality
3.
 adj
filled with melancholy and despondency
4.
 adj
no longer sufficient
5.
 v
make a low noise, characteristic of bovines
Full Definitions of low
1

adj less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

“low prices”
“the reservoir is low”
Synonyms:
debased, degraded, devalued
lowered in value
depressed, down
lower than previously
low-level
not intense
reduced, rock-bottom
well below normal (especially in price)
inferior
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
Antonyms:
high
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
advanced
at a higher level in training or knowledge or skill
broad, full
being at a peak or culminating point
graduate, postgraduate
of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree
higher
of education beyond the secondary level
higher
advanced in complexity or elaboration
last, utmost
highest in extent or degree
soaring
ascending to a level markedly higher than the usual
superior
of or characteristic of high rank or importance
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adj very low in volume

“a low murmur”
“the low-toned murmur of the surf”
Synonyms:
low-toned
soft
(of sound) relatively low in volume

adj used of sounds and voices; low in pitch or frequency

Synonyms:
low-pitched
alto, contralto
of or being the lowest female voice
baritone
lower in range than tenor and higher than bass
bass, deep
having or denoting a low vocal or instrumental range
contrabass, double-bass
pitched an octave below normal bass instrumental or vocal range
throaty
sounding as if pronounced low in the throat
Antonyms:
high, high-pitched
used of sounds and voices; high in pitch or frequency
adenoidal, nasal, pinched
sounding as if the nose were pinched
altissimo
very high
alto
(of a musical instrument) second highest member of a group
alto, countertenor
of or being the highest male voice; having a range above that of tenor
falsetto
artificially high; above the normal voice range
peaky, spiky
having or as if having especially high-pitched spots
sharp, shrill
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
screaky, screechy, squeaking, squeaky, squealing
having or making a high-pitched sound such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge
soprano, treble
having or denoting a high range
sopranino
higher in range than soprano
tenor
of or close in range to the highest natural adult male voice
tenor
(of a musical instrument) intermediate between alto and baritone or bass
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adj literal meanings; being at or having a relatively small elevation or upward extension

“low ceilings”
“low clouds”
“low hills”
“the sun is low”
“low furniture”
“a low bow”
Synonyms:
deep
with head or back bent low
flat-growing, ground-hugging, low-growing
of plants that grow relatively low to the ground
low-altitude, low-level
occurring at a relatively low altitude
low-lying
having a small elevation above the ground or horizon or sea level
low-set, lowset
lower than average
nether, under
located below or beneath something else
squat, underslung
having a low center of gravity; built low to the ground
inferior
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
little, short
low in stature; not tall
down
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
Antonyms:
high
(literal meaning) being at or having a relatively great or specific elevation or upward extension (sometimes used in combinations like `knee-high')
altitudinous
indefinitely high; lofty
commanding, dominating, overlooking
used of a height or viewpoint
eminent, lofty, soaring, towering
of imposing height; especially standing out above others
high-altitude, high-level
occurring at or from a relative high altitude
high-stepped, high-stepping
having or moving with a high step
high-top, high-topped
(of shoes or boots) having relatively high uppers
steep
of a slope; set at a high angle
upper
higher in place or position
tall
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
top
situated at the top or highest position
up
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
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n a low level or position or degree

“the stock market fell to a new low”
Antonyms:
high
a lofty level or position or degree
Type of:
degree, grade, level
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

n an air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation

“a low moved in over night bringing sleet and snow”
Synonyms:
depression
Type of:
air mass
a large body of air with uniform characteristics horizontally

n the lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving

Synonyms:
first, first gear, low gear
Type of:
gear, gear mechanism
a mechanism for transmitting motion for some specific purpose (as the steering gear of a vehicle)

adv in a low position; near the ground

“the branches hung low”
2

adj low or inferior in station or quality

Synonyms:
humble, lowly, modest, small
inferior
of or characteristic of low rank or importance

adj unrefined in character

“low comedy”
Synonyms:
unrefined
(used of persons and their behavior) not refined; uncouth

adj of the most contemptible kind

“a low stunt to pull”
“a low-down sneak”
Synonyms:
abject, low-down, miserable, scummy, scurvy
contemptible
deserving of contempt or scorn
3

adj filled with melancholy and despondency

Synonyms:
blue, depressed, dispirited, down, down in the mouth, downcast, downhearted, gloomy, grim, low-spirited
dejected
affected or marked by low spirits

adj subdued or brought low in condition or status

“brought low”
Synonyms:
broken, crushed, humbled, humiliated
humble
marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
4

adj no longer sufficient

“supplies are low”
Synonyms:
depleted
deficient, insufficient
of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
5

v make a low noise, characteristic of bovines

Synonyms:
moo
Type of:
emit, let loose, let out, utter
express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words)

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