lowest - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
lowest Word Meanings
- having a small distance from the ground
- not high in position or level
- having a small value or amount
lowest Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
lowest Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ləʊ/
US
/loʊ/
lowest Word Etymology
low: from Proto-Germanic *lauwaz = low; Old English 'lōw'; the image of something small and close to the ground, like a low hill or a person crouching.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
First I bend my knees and reach down to move the mug toward the table. I pull it gently and set it low on the surface, feeling the weight settle with quiet gravity. I adjust my grip and keep the mug in a low line that fits my sight. That small shift makes the word low feel real, a simple thing near the ground.
Real Context
Low is a versatile word with two main parts of speech: adjective and adverb. As an adjective it describes things that are close to the ground, short in height, or situated at a small distance from the top or surface. It can also describe quantities, values, or conditions that are not high, such as low prices, low risk, or low humidity. As an adverb it can modify verbs or adjectives to indicate downward direction or a small degree, as in low and slow, look low, or keep your voice low. Common collocations include low-lying areas, low income, low-key events, and low temperatures. Learners often confuse low with lower or lowest when making comparisons, or misplace it in idioms. Pay attention to context to choose the right sense.
Usage Reminders
- Use low for distance from the ground
- Describe small height or distance from the surface
- Low can describe prices, risks, or quantities as not high
- As an adverb, use with be or adjectives to indicate a downward direction or small degree
- Common collocations include low-lying, low income, low-key, and low temperatures
Common Misconceptions
- Low is not a synonym for high or expensive; it is relative and context dependent
- Do not use low as a transitive verb; say lower the volume or lower prices instead
- Avoid confusing low with lower in direct comparisons unless you are forming a proper comparison
- Low does not always mean sad; it can describe height, amount, or intensity
- Be careful with fixed phrases like low-key; it has a special meaning different from the literal sense
Thinking Differences
English speakers often think of low as a broad, flexible descriptor tied to height, value, and intensity. Learners tend to overextend to idioms or mix up with lower in comparisons.
Learning Tips
- Practice height, distance, value, and degree contexts separately
- Learn common collocations like low-lying, low income, low-key
- Distinguish adjective vs adverb uses in sentences
- Memorize key opposites high and tall for contrast
- Use be + low to describe states, not as a verb
- Create mini-dialogues to hear low in real speech
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App