lowdown

1 of 2

noun

low·​down ˈlō-ˌdau̇n 

: the inside facts : dope

gave us the lowdown on the situation

low-down

2 of 2

adjective

ˈlō-(ˌ)dau̇n 

1

: contemptible, base

a low-down dirty liar

2

: deeply emotional

low-down blues

Synonyms of lowdown

Noun

• scoop
• tip
• rumor

Adjective

• dirty
• nasty
• vile
• immoral
• vicious
• sordid
• cruel

Examples of lowdown in a Sentence

Noun

have you heard the lowdown on the new chairman of the department?

Adjective

of all the low-down tricks that have ever been played in the history of that game

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ditching your wife for the empty promise of an online affair is a rotten, cowardly, lowdown way out. — Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2023

Vogue caught up with all of the queens below to get the lowdown on how their distinctive drag looks channeled Mugler and how the designer continues to inspire. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2023

Adjective

Sigrid's Guide to Norway, From Svalbard to Oslo The singer gives us the low-down on her favorite spots in her native Norway. — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

Still, as a story of biblical wrath and redemption, Cape Fear sneakily feels like a low-down companion to The Last Temptation of Christ with Nolte’s wicked lawyer washing away his sins in an epic confrontation with Cady. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 5 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1905, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lowdown

• get the lowdown on
• the lowdown

Rhymes for lowdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

lowdown

noun

low·​down ˈlō-ˌdau̇n 

: reliable information