inferior

adjective

in·​fe·​ri·​or in-ˈfir-ē-ər 

1

: of little or less importance, value, or merit

always felt inferior to his older brother

2

a

: of low or lower degree or rank

inferior courts

b

: of poor quality : mediocre

3

: situated lower down : lower

4

a

: situated below another and especially another similar superior part of an upright body

b

: situated in a relatively low posterior or ventral position in a quadrupedal body

c(1)

: situated below another plant part or organ

(2)

: abaxial

5

: relating to or being a subscript

inferior noun

inferiority

(ˌ)in-ˌfir-ē-ˈȯr-ə-tē 

-ˈär-

noun

inferiorly

in-ˈfir-ē-ər-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of inferior

• lower
• lowest

Examples of inferior in a Sentence

… the pearls were of inferior quality; they looked like pearlized globs of varying wrinkly shapes. —Tracie Rozhon, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2002

Sharks, rays, and ratfishes share a special burden: these cartilaginous fishes are saddled with a reputation for being somehow inferior to vertebrates blessed with bony skeletons. —Carl Zimmer, Natural History, September 2000

No longer do workers and peasants feel inferior to the university-trained. —Rhea Menzel Whitehead, Saturday Review, 4 Mar. 1972

These pearls are of inferior quality.

They were considered a socially inferior group.

He always felt inferior around his brother.

The judges voted to overturn a ruling made by an inferior court.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the article argues Google's services are popular due to their superiority, and forcing Google to promote inferior third-party options would be anti-consumer and self-harming. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Brain MRIs also found an increase in the surface area of the inferior frontal gyrus in the MIND diet group. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Speaking of the interior, the cabin is in no way inferior to the exterior, crafted with high-end materials such as carbon fiber, suede-like upholstery, and metallic accents. — New Atlas, 25 July 2026

The game is far worse and inferior when a team is down to 10. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, comparative of inferus lower — more at under

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing inferior

• inferior conjunction
• inferior planet

Rhymes for inferior

• anterior
• exterior
• interior
• ulterior

Kids Definition

inferior

1 of 2 adjective

in·​fe·​ri·​or

in-ˈfir-ē-ər

1

: situated lower down

2

: of low or lower degree or rank

3

: of little or less importance, value, or merit

inferior

2 of 2 noun

: an inferior person or thing

Medical Definition

inferior

adjective

in·​fe·​ri·​or in-ˈfir-ē-ər 

1

: situated below and closer to the feet than another and especially another similar part of an upright body especially of a human being compare superior sense 1

2

: situated in a more posterior or ventral position in the body of a quadruped compare superior sense 2

Legal Definition

inferior

adjective

in·​fe·​ri·​or

: of lower status, rank, or priority