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

What is functional will be recouped by competitors that will benefit from the death of this icon of budget air travel, which facilitated a kind of low-grade freedom for the masses. —Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026

The type of plastic used to manufacture a disc golf disc ranges from a low-grade plastic that offers a good grip but wears more quickly to a durable plastic that holds up well to abuse but does not feature the best grip. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

Tech-free or digital detox options take the same logic further, removing the constant low-grade stimulus that keeps stress elevated. —Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026

For everyday anxiety or low-grade stress, a slow body scan before bed is a reasonable place to start tonight. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 6 May 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