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

On Saturday, officials in Atlantic City, New Jersey, urged residents and casino visitors to stay off streets during the storm, especially in low-lying neighborhoods prone to flooding. —CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026

The restoration also comes as recent storms have highlighted flood risks across the Bay Area, and rising seas increasingly threaten low-lying shoreline communities. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2026

During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026

During heavy rainfall, there is a risk of flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. —Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for low-lying

• applying
• belying
• complying
• decrying
• defying
• denying
• implying
• outlying
• relying
• replying
• stupefying
• supplying

Kids Definition

low-lying

adjective

low-ly·​ing

ˈlō-ˈlī-iŋ

: having little upward extension or elevation

low-lying clouds