low1 (low)

adjective

• 1of less than average height from top to bottom or to the top from the ground: the school is a long, low building a low table
• situated not far above the ground, the horizon, or sea level: the sun was low in the sky
• located at or near the bottom of something: low back pain he smashed a pane low down in the window
• (of women’s clothing) cut so as to reveal the neck and the upper part of the breasts: the low neckline of her blouse [in combination]: a low-cut black dress
• (of latitude) near the equator: the warming effect will be greatest at low latitudes
• Phonetics (of a vowel) pronounced with the tongue held low in the mouth; open.

• 2below average in amount, extent, or intensity: bringing up children on a low income borrowing fell to a low level cook over low heat
• (of a river or lake) below the usual water level: the river was low
• (of a substance or food) containing smaller quantities than usual of a specified ingredient: vegetables are low in calories [in combination]: low-fat spreads
• (of a supply) small or reduced in quantity: food and ammunition were running low
• having a small or reduced quantity of a supply: they were low on fuel

• 3ranking below other people or things in importance or class: jobs with low status training will be given low priority
• (of art or culture) considered to be inferior in quality and refinement: the dual traditions of high and low art
• less good than is expected or desired; inferior: the standard of living is low
• unscrupulous or dishonest: practise a little low cunning
• (of an opinion) unfavourable: he had a low opinion of himself

• 4(of a sound or voice) not loud or high: keep the volume very low his low, husky voice

• 5depressed or lacking in energy: I was feeling low

noun

• 1a low point, level, or figure: his popularity ratings are at an all-time low
• an area of low barometric pressure; a depression: the weatherman talked about highs and lows

• 2a difficult time in a person’s life: the highs and lows of an actor’s life
• informal a state of depression: she doesn’t have big highs or big lows

adverb

• 1in or into a low position or state: she pressed on, bent low to protect her face

• 2in a low voice or at a low pitch: we were talking low so we wouldn’t wake Dean