lower

verb low·er \ ˈlau̇(-ə)r , ˈlō-ər \

variants: or less commonly lour play \ˈlau̇(-ə)r\

|Updated on: 5 Jun 2018

Examples: lower in a Sentence

Definition of lower

lowered also loured; lowering also louring; lowers also lours

intransitive verb

1 : to look sullen : frown

2 : to be or become dark, gloomy, and threatening

an overcast sky lowered over the village

Origin and Etymology of lower

Middle English louren; akin to Middle High German lūren to lie in wait

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

lower

noun

variants: or less commonly lour

Definition of lower

: frown

Examples of lower in a Sentence

he turned to see the scornful lower on her face

First Known Use of lower

14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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lower Synonyms

lower

adjective low·er \ ˈlō-ər \

Definition of lower

1 : relatively low in position, rank, or order

2 : southern

lower New York State

3 : less advanced in the scale of evolutionary development

4 a : situated or held to be situated beneath the earth's surface

b capitalized : being an earlier epoch or series of the period or system named

Lower Cretaceous

Lower Paleolithic

5 : constituting the popular and often the larger and more representative branch of a bicameral legislative body

lower house

See lower defined for English-language learners

Examples of lower in a Sentence

the ship's upper and lower decks
The message appeared on the lower portion of the screen.
the mountain's upper and lower slopes
The forecast is for strong winds at lower elevations.
in the lower and higher latitudes
the lower and upper peninsulas

Recent Examples of lower from the Web

Swings in prices are currently at the lower end of a historical range that stretches back over 20 years.

— sarah mcfarlane, WSJ, "How OPEC and Shale Have Squeezed Out Volatility in the Oil Market," 1 June 2018
Meridiana has opened a new neighborhood with homes on the lower end of the price spectrum in the Manvel community off of Texas 288.

— katherine feser, Houston Chronicle, "Meridiana opens new section with smaller lots, home prices," 31 May 2018
An average hurricane season brings about 12 storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes, on the lower end of NOAA’s predicted range.

— josh solomon, The Seattle Times, "Scientists predict 10 to 16 named storms this hurricane season," 27 May 2018
The lower end is based, in part, on the notion that the city could use money collected for the 401(k)-type plans.

— michael smolens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "If San Diego pension overhaul is scuttled, prepare for 'son of Prop. B'," 23 May 2018
While both that pair would be good signings for Tottenham, the 46-year-old Spurs boss needs to look away from the lower end of the Premier League below, and aim for the very best that world football can offer.

— SI.com, "Why Tottenham Hotspur Need to Spend Big This Summer to Taken Seriously as Title Contenders," 15 May 2018
The cost savings will be on the lower end if village officials decide to keep the police lobby staffed on a 24-7 basis.

— jeff rumage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Grafton redirects 911 lines to Ozaukee County dispatch, might not keep police dept. lobby open 24/7," 2 May 2018
Typical of the lower end were seven Cape Cods ranging from $299,900 to 349,900, all with property taxes of $8,000 to $10,000.

— jay levin, New York Times, "Bergenfield, N.J.: Comfortable And Unassuming," 25 Apr. 2018
With way more buyers than sellers, the competition for homes, especially at the lower end of the market, will be cutthroat, RE/MAX's Deaton said.

— randy tucker, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati's hot housing market: Five things you need to know," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lower.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lower

³low

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

lower Synonyms

Synonyms

inferior, junior, less, lesser, minor, smaller, subordinate;

Antonyms

greater, higher, major, more, primary, prime, senior, superior;

Near Antonyms

choice, exceptional, first-class, first-rate;

Related Words

little, mean, small;

minute, petty;

jerkwater, one-horse, second-class, second-rate, two-bit;

associate, auxiliary, secondary, subsidiary;

lower

verb low·er \ ˈlō-ər \

Definition of lower

lowered; lowering; lowers

intransitive verb

: to move down : drop; also : diminish

transitive verb

1 a : to let descend : let down

b : to depress as to direction

lower your aim

c : to reduce the height of

2 a : to reduce in value, number, or amount

b (1) : to bring down in quality or character : degrade

(2) : abase, humble

c : to reduce the objective of

— lower the boom

: to deal a crushing blow or punishment

First Known Use of lower

1575

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

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LOWER Defined for English Language Learners

lower

adjective

Definition of lower for English Language Learners

: located below another or others of the same kind
: located toward the bottom part of something
: not high above the ground

LOWER Defined for Kids

lower

adjective low·er \ ˈlō-ər \

Definition of lower for Students

1 : located below another or others of the same kind

a lower floor

2 : located toward the bottom part of something

the lower back

3 : placed below another or others in rank or order

a lower court

4 : less advanced or developed

lower animals

lower

verb

Definition of lower for Students

lowered; lowering

1 : to move to a level or position that is below or less than an earlier one

The sun lowered in the west.

2 : to let or pull down

He lowered a flag.

3 : to make or become less (as in value, amount, or volume)

The store lowered the price.

4 : to reduce the height of

We'll lower the fence.

Medical Dictionary

lower

noun

medical Definition of lower

: the lower member of a pair; especially : a lower denture

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See words that rhyme with lower Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lower Spanish Central: Translation of lower Nglish: Translation of lower for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lower for Arabic speakers

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lower

Definition of lower

Origin and Etymology of lower

lower

Definition of lower

Examples of lower in a Sentence

First Known Use of lower

lower Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

lower

Definition of lower

Examples of lower in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lower from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lower

lower Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

lower

Definition of lower

First Known Use of lower

Phrases Related to LOWER

Related Phrases

LOWER Defined for English Language Learners

lower

Definition of lower for English Language Learners

LOWER Defined for Kids

lower

Definition of lower for Students

lower

Definition of lower for Students

Medical Dictionary

lower

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