1 a : not rising or extending upward a great distance
▪ low mountains/peaks ▪ low hills ▪ a low building — opposite high
b : extending or reaching upward less than other things of the same kind
▪ low boots ▪ a low fence ▪ low [=short] grass — opposite high
c : not located far above the ground or another surface
▪ low clouds/altitudes ▪ The sun was low [=near the horizon] in the western sky. ▪ The apartment has low ceilings. — opposite high
d always used before a noun : not rising above surrounding land
▪ They have a home in the low country. ▪ The houses are built on low ground. — opposite high
e : cut far down at the neck
▪ a low dress ▪ a dress with a low neckline [=a dress with a low-cut neckline] 2 a : less than usual in amount, number, or degree
▪ They were traveling at a low (rate of) speed. ▪ temperatures as low as 10 below zero ▪ He's being treated for low blood pressure. ▪ a low dose of medicine ▪ She earns a low salary. ▪ a low-income family ▪ low heat/humidity/temperatures ▪ low interest rates ▪ low intelligence ▪ Demand for his books has remained low. ▪ a low price — opposite high
b : near or at the bottom of a range
▪ Temperatures were in the low eighties. ▪ Her salary is in the low 40s. [=her salary is between about $40,000 and $45,000] — opposite high
c : not having enough or the amount needed
▪ Our supply of fuel is getting/running low. ▪ The airplane was low on fuel. ▪ We're getting/running low on coffee.
d : having less than the usual or average amount of something — often used in combination ▪ a low-calorie diet ▪ low-sodium foods ▪ a low-risk investment — see also low in (below) 3 a : not favorable
▪ He holds them in low regard/esteem. = He has a low opinion of them. [=he thinks poorly of them; he regards them unfavorably] ▪ low hopes/expectations ▪ Everyone was in low spirits [=unhappy] because of the rainy weather. — opposite high
b : sad or unhappy
▪ She's been feeling pretty low. ▪ a low mood
c : not good : below a certain quality or standard
▪ products of low quality ▪ He got low marks/grades throughout college. ▪ low morale ▪ He has pretty low standards when it comes to choosing a hotel. ▪ Our vacation ended on a low note [=it ended in an unpleasant way] when our flight was delayed. ▪ The time we spent waiting at the airport was the low point [=the least enjoyable part] of our vacation. — opposite high
d : morally bad
▪ a person of low character ▪ low behavior ▪ a low trick ▪ low standards of conduct — opposite high 4 : below others in power, importance, etc.
▪ Losing weight is a low priority for him. = Losing weight is low on his list of priorities. ▪ officials of low rank — see also lower, low-ranking 5 a : not loud : soft
▪ a low whisper ▪ a low moan ▪ They were speaking in low voices. [=they were speaking quietly]
b : near the bottom of a range of sounds
▪ a singer with a low [=deep] voice = a singer with a low-pitched voice : occurring near the bottom of the musical scale ▪ a low note — opposite high 6 a : not strong or forceful
▪ low winds
b : not bright
▪ plants that grow well in low light
c : not hot
▪ The sauce is best when cooked slowly over low heat. ▪ She uses the iron on a low setting when she is working with delicate fabrics. 7 : having qualities that do not appeal to intelligent people
▪ a low style of writing ▪ low humor ▪ low art — opposite high 8 of a river, stream, etc. : having less water than usual
▪ The river is low. — opposite high