What does low mean?
Low describes something positioned close to the ground or at a modest height, and it can also refer to gentle sound, reduced volume or intensity, small amounts, low status, or a depressed mood. The word is especially useful because the same basic contrast with high can be applied across many domains: a low wall, a low voice, a low price, low temperatures, and low social rank. As a verb, it means to reduce a level or intensity or to make a sound quieter, as in “lower the volume.” As a noun, it can denote a low level, price, temperature, or record. Although these figurative senses may initially involve physical height or position, they commonly describe anything perceived as diminished, subdued, or near the bottom of a scale. Low is used in both formal and informal English, but its emotional sense, “to feel low,” generally sounds less formal than “depressed.”
At or near the ground; of small height, volume, amount, degree, status, or intensity. It can also describe a subdued or depressing mood.
"The temperature remained low throughout the afternoon."
The figurative senses are very common. “Low mood” is less formal than “depressed mood,” while “low status” is generally neutral.
At a low level, height, volume, or degree.
"They crouched low behind the embankment."
It often follows a verb such as “fly,” “crouch,” “bow,” “hang,” or “turn” and may describe either literal position or reduced intensity.
A low level, price, temperature, score, or record; also, a position below another level.
"The shares reached a new low after the announcement."
The plural “lows” is used especially for prices, temperatures, scores, or records that fall to unusually low levels.
To reduce the intensity, volume, level, or price of something, or to make a sound quieter.
"Drivers were advised to lower their speed in poor conditions."
Plural lows is used for distinct low points or unusually low values, such as prices, temperatures, scores, or records.
"Several European markets recorded new lows after the announcement."
From an Old Norse word meaning “low,” this familiar adjective also became a verb for quieting a sound, lowering a price, or making something less intense.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does low come from?
The word descends from Old Norse lág, meaning “low,” and entered Middle English with that meaning. Its relatives in closely related Germanic languages include Dutch laag, Danish lav, Swedish låg, and Icelandic læg, illustrating the word’s long presence across northern Europe. The Old Norse form was borrowed into English and developed into the modern adjective, adverb, noun, and verb.
Related word forms
How low is actually used
The word is highly versatile. Its register depends on context: “low income” is neutral and formal, “feeling low” is common but relatively informal, and expressions such as “lowest of the low” carry a strongly derogatory tone. In music and acoustics, “low” refers to pitch rather than volume.
Easily confused with low
Low describes height, volume, intensity, status, or mood, whereas lowly means humble or of low rank and is often used in a formal or religious context.