1
: having few stories and not usually equipped with elevators
a low-rise apartment/office building
2
: of, relating to, or characterized by low-rise buildings
a low-rise housing development
3
: having a shorter than standard rise (see rise entry 2 sense 7)
low-rise jeans
The finishing touch of her ensemble then came in the form of "old school," low-rise brown suede … pants and coordinating brown leather boots.Claudia Miller
Jeans can also be OK … in some work environments, but not the "Saturday night jeans" that are low-rise and sexy.Paula Rath

Examples of low-rise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The 42-year-old fashion icon, beauty guru, and entrepreneur posted to both Instagram and Twitter with a series of photos that featured her in low-rise jeans and a bikini top, alongside two of her BFFs, TV personality Olivia Pierson and fellow influencer Natalie Halcro. Lizzy Rosenberg, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2023 Vehicles are wedged in terraces and entrances of the low-rise buildings. Sarah El Sirgany, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023 Surrounding the site, office buildings and a hotel, the well-trod Harborwalk and low-rise brick apartments overlook the water and downtown skyline to the north. Catherine Carlock, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023 When Johnstone was in high school, fashion was in an earlier cycle of casual luxury, one that was synonymous with the plushy boots and low-rise jeans found during Johnstone’s wanderings between Agoura High School and Malibu. Ferron Salniker, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023 Donya, played by real-life Afghan refugee Anaita Wali Zada, lives in a low-rise apartment complex that’s home to many other Afghans. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023 Rare for a New York City townhouse, there is plenty of natural light from both sides thanks to the low-rise buildings that surround it. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2023 The new towers will be located at the corner of West Peachtree and 5th streets, replacing low-rise buildings that were demolished two years ago. Zachary Hansen, ajc, 11 Sep. 2023 In another standout look, the Oscar nominee wore a navy bikini top featuring straps across the front, paired with a low-rise knit column skirt in a navy-and-white diagonal striped pattern, with fringe adorning the hem. Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'low-rise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of low-rise was in 1922

Dictionary Entries Near low-rise

Cite this Entry

“Low-rise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/low-rise. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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