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

At the same time, mining operations around the world have generated enormous volumes of low-grade tailings that still contain recoverable metals but remain largely unused. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

Simply put, most men will not die from low-grade prostate cancer. — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Some people also experience vomiting, headaches, body aches or a low-grade fever. — Jason St. Angelo, USA Today, 22 July 2026

An infection characterized by severe diarrhea is sparking low-grade panic over produce. — Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 15 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