lowlier; lowliest
Definition of lowly
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: not lofty or grand : commonplace, ordinary
Paella, once the lowly meal of farmers … has indeed evolved into a very sumptuous one-dish meal …— Georgina R. Encanto It's easy to overlook the lowly alphabet book.— Ivan Kreilkamp
2
: low in order of importance, value, or esteem
a lowly task … the game didn't match even the lowly expectations placed on it.— Matthew DeFranks I'm not talking about the mouthwatering and universally appreciated king or Spanish mackerel but their lowly cousin, the commonly derided Atlantic mackerel …— W. Hodding Carter
3
: having or being a low rank in some hierarchy
a lowly private in the army their lowly ranking in the tournament
often, specifically
: of or relating to a low social or economic rank
lowly peasants "Now there's a highborn name for a lowly lad," the woman said. — Avi
4
: low in a scale of evolution or development
Consider the lowly roundworm. By manipulating the genes of a species of nematode, Thomas Johnson of the University of Colorado has already doubled its puny 30-day life span.— Richard I. Kirkland Jr.
5
: humble in manner or spirit : free from self-assertive pride
Is it compatible with a self-denying, meek, and lowly heart? — The New Englander (New Haven, Connecticut)
lowly
adverbDefinition of lowly (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: not loudly
Dr. Park began to speak lowly, and in Korean, at Sally and Eunice.— Gary Shteyngart
2
: in a humble or meek manner
bowed lowly
3
: in a low position, manner, or degree
lowly rated products … the great elephant makes us a bow in the best style of elephantine courtesy, bending lowly down his mountain bulk …— Nathaniel Hawthorne
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for lowly
The first known use of lowly was in the 14th century
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