low-grade

adjective

ˈlō-ˈgrād 

1

: of inferior grade or quality

2

: being near that extreme of a specified range which is lowest, least intense, least serious, or least competent

a low-grade fever

a low-grade infection

Synonyms of low-grade

• cheap
• inferior
• poor
• terrible
• coarse
• bad
• rotten
• common

Examples of low-grade in a Sentence

plumbing fixtures that were made out of low-grade materials

Recent Examples on the Web

In rare cases, the CDC said patients may experience vomiting, body aches, headache, low-grade fever and other flu-like symptoms. — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Some who become ill also experience vomiting and a low-grade fever in addition to frequent, sometimes explosive, watery diarrhea. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026

Less common symptoms include a low-grade fever, vomiting, headache and body aches. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Health officials are still working to learn what has caused more than a thousand people nationwide to fall ill with this condition that can cause explosive diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and low-grade fever. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for low-grade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

low-grade

adjective

ˈlō-ˈgrād

1

: of poor grade or quality

2

: being near that end of a range which is lowest, weakest, or least able

a low-grade fever

Medical Definition

low-grade

adjective

ˈlō-ˈgrād 

: being near that extreme of a specified range which is lowest, least intense, or least competent

a low-grade fever

a low-grade infection

compare high-grade