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

How much of that was a genuine improvement, and how much of that was playing an inferior opponent? —Daniel Popper, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025

Even against inferior competition, bad teams find ways to lose. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025

The Chiefs have gotten by with inferior play on the interior offensive line. —Kansas City Star, 28 Nov. 2025

Eric Chan, the Chief Secretary for Administration, told AP that the traditional bamboo was inferior to metal for fire safety. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

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