low-lying

adjective

low-ly·​ing ˈlō-ˈlī-iŋ 

1

: rising relatively little above the base of measurement

low-lying hills

2

: lying below the normal level, surface, or the base of measurement or mean elevation

low-lying clouds

Synonyms of low-lying

• short
• little
• small
• low
• tiny

Examples of low-lying in a Sentence

the low-lying hills blocked our view of the sea only a little bit

Recent Examples on the Web

At 16 feet, flooding of low-lying undeveloped areas along the creek begins. — Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Sea-level rise is one of the most visible signs of climate change, one that is threatening low-lying coastal communities around the world. — Robert Kopp, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

The slow-moving nor’easter battered the Northeast coastline with heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous surf, flooding low-lying communities from New Jersey to New England. — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Although rising seas pose a threat to all countries, low-lying island nations are already seeing the damage. — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for low-lying

• buying
• crying
• drying
• dyeing
• dying
• flying
• frying
• lying
• plying
• prying
• shying
• sighing

Kids Definition

low-lying

adjective

low-ly·​ing

ˈlō-ˈlī-iŋ

: having little upward extension or elevation

low-lying clouds