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

Target warm-season bedding areas, such as north-facing slopes or low-lying areas near water that offer a high stem count. — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 9 Nov. 2026

Flooding is most likely in urban and low-lying areas that are less capable of handling heavy rain. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

Offshore, the low-lying Kerkennah Islands get around 5 minutes, 39 seconds. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Authorities warned the rain could cause flooding in low-lying areas and disruptions to daily life. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 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