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

For someone already carrying that kind of low-grade worry, a surprise $4,000 surgery bill is the type of shock that crushes a stable-looking budget. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 22 June 2026

Constant notifications, background noise and perpetual availability keep the body's sympathetic nervous system in a chronic low-grade fight-or-flight state. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

One idea scientists are investigating to help is to target inflammation (some research has shown about one-fourth of people who have depression show signs of low-grade inflammation) by altering how the immune system’s signaling proteins behave. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 June 2026

Exercise lowers chronic low-grade inflammation, reduces oxidative stress, increases endothelial production, and increases nitric oxide production in our vessels. — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 12 June 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