lower Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the lower of two berths
    lower berth.
  2. verb move something or somebody to a lower position
    take down; get down; let down; bring down.
    • take down the vase from the shelf
  3. verb set lower
    lour.
    • lower a rating
    • lower expectations
  4. verb make lower or quieter
    lour; turn down.
    • turn down the volume of a radio
  5. verb cause to drop or sink
    depress.
    • The lack of rain had depressed the water level in the reservoir
  6. verb look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
    glower; lour; frown.
  7. adjective less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
    low.
    • low prices
    • the reservoir is low
  8. adjective literal meanings; being at or having a relatively small elevation or upward extension
    low.
    • low ceilings
    • low clouds
    • low hills
    • the sun is low
    • low furniture
    • a low bow
  9. adjective satellite very low in volume
    low-toned; low.
    • a low murmur
    • the low-toned murmur of the surf
  10. adjective satellite unrefined in character
    low.
    • low comedy
  11. adjective used of sounds and voices; low in pitch or frequency
    low-pitched; low.
  12. adjective satellite of the most contemptible kind
    scurvy; low-down; scummy; low; abject; miserable.
    • abject cowardice
    • a low stunt to pull
    • a low-down sneak
    • his miserable treatment of his family
    • You miserable skunk!
    • a scummy rabble
    • a scurvy trick
  13. adjective satellite low or inferior in station or quality
    small; modest; humble; low; lowly.
    • a humble cottage
    • a lowly parish priest
    • a modest man of the people
    • small beginnings
  14. adjective satellite no longer sufficient
    depleted; low.
    • supplies are low
    • our funds are depleted
  15. adjective satellite subdued or brought low in condition or status
    low; broken; humbled; crushed; humiliated.
    • brought low
    • a broken man
    • his broken spirit
  16. adjective satellite filled with melancholy and despondency
    blue; downhearted; dispirited; down in the mouth; depressed; downcast; down; gloomy; low; low-spirited; grim.
    • gloomy at the thought of what he had to face
    • gloomy predictions
    • a gloomy silence
    • took a grim view of the economy
    • the darkening mood
    • lonely and blue in a strange city
    • depressed by the loss of his job
    • a dispirited and resigned expression on her face
    • downcast after his defeat
    • feeling discouraged and downhearted

WordNet

Low"er adjective
Definitions
  1. Compar. of Low, a. irregular format
Low"er transitive verb
Etymology
From Low, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Lowered ; present participle & verbal noun Lowering
Definitions
  1. To let descend by its own weight, as something suspended; to let down; as, to lower a bucket into a well; to lower a sail or a boat; sometimes, to pull down; as, to lower a flag.
    Lowered softly with a threefold cord of love Down to a silent grave. Tennyson.
  2. To reduce the height of; as, to lower a fence or wall; to lower a chimney or turret.
  3. To depress as to direction; as, to lower the aim of a gun; to make less elevated as to object; as, to lower one's ambition, aspirations, or hopes.
  4. To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of; as, to lower the temperature of anything; to lower one's vitality; to lower distilled liquors.
  5. To bring down; to humble; as, to lower one's pride.
  6. To reduce in value, amount, etc. ; as, to lower the price of goods, the rate of interest, etc.
Low"er intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease; as, the river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
Low"er intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. lowren, luren; cf. D. loeren, LG. luren. G. lauern to lurk, to be on the watch, and E. leer, lurk.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Lowered ; present participle & verbal noun Lowering
Definitions
  1. To be dark, gloomy, and threatening, as clouds; to be covered with dark and threatening clouds, as the sky; to show threatening signs of approach, as a tempest.
    All the clouds that lowered upon our house. Shak.
  2. To frown; to look sullen.
    But sullen discontent sat lowering on her face. Dryden.
Low"er noun
Definitions
Obs.
  1. Cloudiness; gloominess.
  2. A frowning; sullenness.

Webster 1913