- low
- low1 W1S1 [ləu US lou] adj comparative lower superlative lowest▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(small amount/level/value)¦2¦(height)¦3¦(standards/quality)¦4¦(supply)¦5¦(sound)¦6¦(light)¦7¦(heat)¦8¦(battery)¦9¦(clothes)¦10¦(unhappy)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1100-1200; : Old Norse; Origin: lagr]1.) ¦(SMALL AMOUNT/LEVEL/VALUE)¦a) small, or smaller than usual, in amount, level, or value≠ ↑highlow income/pay/wages▪ families existing on very low incomes▪ In May, the price of cocoa fell to its lowest level since 1975-76.▪ Morale has been low since the latest round of job-cuts.▪ In this sort of investment, the risks are fairly low.▪ low temperatures▪ the need for low-cost housing▪ a low-security prisonb) low in sthhaving less than the usual amount of a substance or chemical≠ ↑high▪ food that is low in calorieslow-fat/low-salt etc▪ low-alcohol beerc) in the low 20s/50s etcif a number, temperature, or level is in the low 20s, 30s etc, it is between 21 and 23, 31 and 33 etc▪ Tonight, temperatures in most areas will be in the low 50s.↑high, ↑low2.) ¦(HEIGHT)¦a) having a top that is not far above the ground≠ ↑high▪ a low wall▪ a long low buildingb) at a point that is not far above the ground or near the bottom of something≠ ↑high▪ low clouds▪ The sun was low in the sky now.▪ Store raw meat on the lowest shelf.c) below the usual height≠ ↑high▪ a low bridge▪ a low ceiling▪ The river is very low today.3.) ¦(STANDARDS/QUALITY)¦bad, or below an acceptable or usual level or quality= ↑poor≠ ↑high▪ Their safety standards seem to be pretty low.▪ Cost-cutting has led to a lower quality of service.▪ the children's low achievement in school4.) ¦(SUPPLY)¦if you are low on something, or if your supply of something is low, there is not much of it leftbe/get/run low (on sth)▪ We're running low on gas.▪ Stocks are getting low.5.) ¦(SOUND)¦a low voice or sound is quiet or deep▪ I heard a low moaning noise.▪ The volume is too low - turn it up.▪ a low whisper6.) ¦(LIGHT)¦a light that is low is not bright= ↑dim▪ Use low lighting to give the room a romantic atmosphere.7.) ¦(HEAT)¦if you cook something over a low heat or in a low ↑oven, you cook it using only a small amount of heat≠ ↑high8.) ¦(BATTERY)¦a ↑battery that is low does not have much power left in it9.) ¦(CLOTHES)¦a low dress, ↑blouse etc does not cover your neck and the top of your chest→↑low-cut10.)¦(UNHAPPY)¦ [not before noun]unhappy and without much hope for the future= ↑depressed▪ He was feeling a bit low, so I did my best to cheer him up.▪ Terry seems to be in rather low spirits today.>lowness n [U]low 2low2 adv comparative lower superlative lowest1.) in or to a low position or level▪ He bent low over the engine.▪ She pulled her hat low down over her eyes.▪ I had the radio on low.2.) near the ground or the bottom of something▪ That plane's flying too low!▪ There was a hole low down in the hedge.3.) if you play or sing musical notes low, you play or sing them with deep notes▪ Sing those bars an octave lower.4.) be brought lowold-fashioned to become much less rich or importantlow 3low3 n1.) a low price, level, or value≠ ↑highfall to/hit/reach etc a new low(=be worth less than ever before)▪ The euro has fallen to a new low against the dollar.▪ Public confidence in the legal system is at an all-time low (=much lower or worse than ever before) .2.) a very difficult time in someone's personal or working lifehighs and lows (of sth)(=good times and bad times)▪ the highs and lows of an actor's life3.)a) the lowest point that the temperature reaches during a particular time≠ ↑high▪ The overnight low will be 8° C.b) an area of low pressure in the air≠ ↑high▪ a low moving in over the Pacific4.) the lowest of the lowa) informal someone you think is completely unfair, cruel, immoral etcb) someone from a low social class - often used humorouslylow 4low4 v [i]literary[: Old English; Origin: hlowan]if cattle low, they make a deep sound
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
