low

Universal Words adjective, adverb, noun, verb adjective (lower, lowest) not high / tall 1 not high or tall; not far above the ground: a low wall / building / table * a low range of hills * low clouds * flying at low altitude * The sun was low in the sky. OPPHIGH near bottom 2 at or near the bottom of sth: low back pain * the lower slopes of the mountain * temperatures in the low 20s (= no higher than 2123ｰ) OPPHIGH clothing 3 not high at the neck: a dress with a low neckline seealsoLOW-CUT level / value 4 (often in compounds) below the usual or average amount, level or value: low prices / wages * low-income families * the lowest temperature ever recorded * a low level of unemployment * Yogurt is usually very low in fat. * low-fat yogurt OPPHIGH 5 having a reduced amount or not enough of sth: The reservoir was low after the long drought. * Our supplies are running low (= we only have a little left). * They were low on fuel. sound 6 not high; not loud: The cello is lower than the violin. * They were speaking in low voices. OPPHIGH standard 7 below the usual or expected standard: students with low marks / grades in their exams * a low standard of living OPPHIGH status 8 below other people or things in importance or status: low forms of life (= creatures with a very simple structure) * jobs with low status * Training was given a very low priority. * the lower classes of society OPPHIGH depressed 9 weak or depressed; with very little energy: I'm feeling really low. * They were in low spirits. opinion 10 [usuallybeforenoun] not very good SYNPOOR: She has a very low opinion of her own abilities. OPPHIGH not honest 11 (of a person) not honest: He mixes with some pretty low types. * low cunning light 12 not bright SYNDIM: The lights were low and romance was in the air. in vehicle 13 if a vehicle is in low gear, it travels at a slower speed in relation to the speed of the engine IDIOMS at a low ebb a poor state; worse than usual: Morale among teachers is at a low ebb. be brought low (old-fashioned) to lose your wealth or your high position in society lay sb low if sb is laid low by/with an injury or illness, they feel very weak and are unable to do much the lowest of the low people who are not respected at all because they are dishonest, immoral or not at all important moreatPROFILEn. adverb (lower, lowest) not high 1 in or into a low position, not far above the ground: to crouch / bend low * a plane flying low over the town * low-flying aircraft * The sun sank lower towards the horizon. near bottom 2 in or into a position near the bottom of sth: a window set low in the wall * The candles were burning low. level 3 (especially in compounds) at a level below what is usual or expected: low-priced goods * a low-powered PC * a very low-scoring game sound 4 not high; not loudly: He's singing an octave lower than the rest of us. * Can you turn the music lower-you'll wake the baby. IDIOMS see HIGHadv., LIEv., SINKv., STOOPv. noun level / value 1 a low level or point; a low figure: The yen has fallen to an all-time low against the dollar. * The temperature reached a record low in London last night. * The government's popularity has hit a new low. difficult time 2 a very difficult time in sb's life or career: The break-up of her marriage marked an all-time low in her life. * We all experience highs and lows in life. weather 3 an area of low pressure in the atmosphere: Another low is moving in from the Atlantic. verb [V] (literary) when a cow lows, it makes a deep sound