Low is a very commonFound often; not unusual or rare in everyday use. English word with several different meanings. It can describe something that is not high, something at a small amount or level, a quiet sound, a bad or inferiorOf lower quality, worse, or not as good as something else. quality, or a depressedFeeling sad, discouraged, or emotionally down for a while. mood.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-31. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /loʊ/

Easy pronunciation: LOH (approximate spelling).

Stress: One syllable, with the vowel sound stressed.

Adjective meaning less than normal in degree, amount, or intensity.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-31. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Low Meaning

not much; below the usual level

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: less than normal in degree, amount, or intensity

Example: Prices are low this week.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• depleted — Works only when low means running out or nearly used up.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-31. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Low

Meaning 2

not high; close to the ground

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: being at a relatively small height or elevation

Example: The sun was low in the sky.

Meaning 3

quiet; not loud

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: very low in volume

Example: She spoke in a low voice.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• low-toned — Can fit sound or voice, but is less common than low or quiet.

Meaning 4

deep in sound

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: used of sounds and voices; low in pitch or frequency

Example: He answered in a low voice.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• low-pitched — A direct sense match for sound or voice.

Meaning 5

sad and discouraged

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: filled with melancholy and despondency

Example: I've been feeling low lately.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• blue — Common in everyday speech for feeling sad.
• depressed — Strong match, though sometimes more clinical.
• dispirited — Works well in formal or written English.
• down — Common informal substitute in this sense.
• down in the mouth — Informal phrase meaning sad or discouraged.
• downcast — More formal; often used in writing.
• downhearted — Clear synonym for feeling sad or discouraged.
• gloomy — Often implies a sad mood, but can also describe atmosphere.
• grim — Can suggest discouraged or bleak feelings, but is broader.
• low-spirited — Direct and natural in this sense.

Meaning 6

of a lower rank, status, or quality

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: low or inferior in station or quality

Example: She came from a lowly family.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• humble — Works for modest rank or status, not for quality in general.
• lowly — Direct and natural in this sense.
• modest — Fits rank or status, but not the full range of low.
• small — Can mean minor or unimportant, but is not a direct synonym in all contexts.

Meaning 7

mean, nasty, or morally bad

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: of the most contemptible kind

Example: That was a low trick to play on him.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• abject — Can mean morally low, but is often more formal and broader.
• low-down — Informal, strong match for mean or dishonest behavior.
• miserable — Can mean wretched or unpleasant, but is not always the best substitute.
• scummy — Informal and strongly negative; fits this sense.
• scurvy — Old-fashioned; means contemptible or mean.

Meaning 8

defeated, weakened, or humbled

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: subdued or brought low in condition or status

Example: The loss left them humbled and brought low.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• broken — Works well for being emotionally or spiritually defeated.
• crushed — Strong, natural substitute in this sense.
• humbled — Direct match for reduced pride or status.
• humiliated — Fits when low means publicly shamed or degraded.

Meaning 9

too little; almost used up

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: no longer sufficient

Example: We're low on fuel.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• depleted — Strong match when supplies or resources are nearly gone.

Meaning 10

the lowest gear in a vehicle

Part of speech: noun

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

Example: Put the car into low to get moving.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• first — Direct driving sense.
• first gear — Direct and natural substitute.
• low gear — Direct match for the vehicle gear sense.

Meaning 11

to make a cow-like sound

Part of speech: verb

Definition: make a low noise, characteristic of bovines

Example: The cows mooed in the field.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• moo — Direct equivalent.

Meaning 12

a low-pressure weather system

Part of speech: noun

Definition: an air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation

Example: A low moved in overnight and brought rain.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• depression — Standard weather term for this sense.

Meaning 13

a low point or bottom level

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a low level or position or degree

Example: The market hit a new low.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-31. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Low Synonyms

Similar Meaning

• depleted

low in sound or pitch

• low-pitched
• low-toned

sad or discouraged

• blue
• depressed
• dispirited
• down
• down in the mouth
• downcast
• downhearted
• gloomy
• grim
• low-spirited

lower rank, status, or quality

• humble
• lowly
• modest
• small

mean, nasty, or contemptible

• abject
• low-down
• miserable
• scummy
• scurvy

defeated, weakened, or humbled

• broken
• crushed
• humbled
• humiliated

vehicle gear

• first
• first gear
• low gear

cow sound

• moo

weather system

• depression

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-31. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

• Using low to mean only 'quiet' or only 'not high' can miss other senses like mood, rank, or weather.
• Confusing low with lowly: lowly usually means humble or of low rank, not simply short or not high.
• Using depressed for every sense of low: it mainly fits the mood sense, not height, volume, or amount.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-31. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does low mean?

Low can mean not high, smaller than usual, quiet, sad, inferior in rank or quality, or at a low point. The exact meaning depends on the sentence.

What are the synonyms of low?

Common synonyms depend on the sense. For the mood sense, words like blue, downhearted, and low-spirited work well. For the amount sense, depleted can fit. For sound, low-pitched is a good match.

Is low always an adjective?

No. Low can also be a noun, as in a new low, and a verb, as in a cow lowing.

What is the difference between low and lowly?

Low is the broader word. Lowly usually means humble or of low status, and it is not used for height, volume, or amount.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-31. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.