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

Cyanidation is a process used to extract gold from low-grade ore by dissolving it in a dilute cyanide solution. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

Kullgren said flu shot side effects can include a low-grade fever, fatigue, and a runny nose for a few days—symptoms that may feel like a mild flu. —Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2026

Many are mass-produced using low-grade materials. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026

This specific blend helps reduce oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation, two primary culprits behind blood vessel damage. —Lauren Manaker, SELF, 2 Apr. 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