lowly

adjective

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low·ly | \ ˈlō-lē

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

adverb

Definition 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

Other Words from lowly Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About lowly

Other Words from lowly

Adjective

lowliness noun

Although the institution had many notable patrons such as Dickens the foundlings were constantly reminded of their lowliness. — Ciara Dossett

Examples of lowly in a Sentence

Adjective He was working as a lowly clerk. He resented his lowly status. Adverb lowly bowing before his king, he accepted his knighthood

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The 10,559 fans who witnessed the feat at PNC Park will never forget watching the lowly Pirates win a game without a single hit. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2022 The lowly Pirates were playing the all-star Yankees. — Demetria Gallegos, WSJ, 14 May 2022 The Chiefs have just eight sacks this season, tied with lowly Jacksonville for fewest in the NFL. — Dave Skretta, ajc, 31 Oct. 2021 By comparison, the final 11 opponents on Jacksonville’s schedule — the Jaguars play the Indianapolis Colts twice, plus the lowly Falcons, New York Jets and Houston Texans — have a .418 winning percentage. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 13 Oct. 2021 The low point in the Vikings' 2020 season and Kirk Cousins' 2020 season arrived in the same game: a 40-23 loss to the lowly Falcons in Week 6, during which Cousins threw three interceptions. — Michael Rand, Star Tribune, 3 May 2021 As noted above, the Cavaliers went 9-15 after the All-Star Break, with a lowly 8-15-1 ATS record. — Xl Media, cleveland, 12 Apr. 2022 Today, the pomp of the Inauguration and the State of the Union seem far more appropriate to Elizabeth II than to Boris Johnson, who took office following a simple invitation from the queen and must regularly wrangle with lowly MPs. — Grayson Quay, The Week, 7 Apr. 2022 Despite a breakout game before the bye, Hilliard had just 13 yards from scrimmage against the lowly Jaguars. — Tony Holm, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Savages and heathens, lowly and oppressed, hailed and welcomed it at the far end of the wide world. — Josh Axelrod And Saeed Ahmed, CNN, 14 June 2021 Savages and heathens, lowly and oppressed, hailed and welcomed it at the far end of the wide world. — Josh Axelrod And Saeed Ahmed, CNN, 14 June 2021 Savages and heathens, lowly and oppressed, hailed and welcomed it at the far end of the wide world. — Josh Axelrod And Saeed Ahmed, CNN, 14 June 2021 Savages and heathens, lowly and oppressed, hailed and welcomed it at the far end of the wide world. — Josh Axelrod And Saeed Ahmed, CNN, 14 June 2021 Savages and heathens, lowly and oppressed, hailed and welcomed it at the far end of the wide world. — Josh Axelrod And Saeed Ahmed, CNN, 14 June 2021 Savages and heathens, lowly and oppressed, hailed and welcomed it at the far end of the wide world. — Josh Axelrod And Saeed Ahmed, CNN, 14 June 2021 Savages and heathens, lowly and oppressed, hailed and welcomed it at the far end of the wide world. — Josh Axelrod And Saeed Ahmed, CNN, 14 June 2021 Savages and heathens, lowly and oppressed, hailed and welcomed it at the far end of the wide world. — Josh Axelrod And Saeed Ahmed, CNN, 14 June 2021 See More

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