Explanation at your level:
You use low when something is not tall. For example, a small chair is a low chair. You can also use it for numbers. If you have only two apples, you have a low number of apples. It is the opposite of high.
In this level, you learn that low describes physical distance from the ground. You might say, 'The sun is low in the sky.' It also describes volume; if your music is quiet, it is at a low volume.
At the intermediate level, you see low used for abstract concepts. We talk about low prices in stores or low energy when we are tired. It is a very common word for describing things that are not at their maximum level.
You will encounter low in professional contexts, such as low risk investments or low maintenance equipment. It is also used in idioms like 'keeping a low profile' to describe social behavior. Notice how it contrasts with 'high' to create a scale of intensity.
Advanced users use low to describe nuance in mood or social status. A low point in a career refers to a moment of difficulty. You might also hear it in technical or academic writing, such as low-frequency waves or low-density materials, showing its precision in scientific contexts.
At the mastery level, you appreciate the historical and metaphorical depth of low. It can imply humility or even a sense of moral decline in literary contexts. Its usage spans from the physical 'lowlands' of geography to the psychological 'low spirits' of a character in a novel, showcasing its vast range in the English language.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Low means not high.
- It describes volume and mood.
- It is a very common word.
- It is the opposite of high.
When we use the word low, we are usually talking about height, level, or intensity. Think of a low table that sits close to the floor or a low voice that is barely a whisper.
It is a very versatile word! You might hear it used to describe a low battery on your phone, meaning the power is almost gone, or a low mood when someone is feeling a bit sad. Because it is a simple, high-frequency word, you will find it in almost every conversation.
The word low comes from the Old Norse word lagr, which meant 'short' or 'lowly.' It has deep roots in Germanic languages, sharing a common ancestor with words in Dutch and German.
Historically, it wasn't just about physical height. It also carried social meaning, often describing someone of a 'lower' social class or status. Over centuries, the word evolved to cover everything from physical measurements to emotional states and even technical settings like low pressure in weather systems.
You can use low in both casual and formal settings. It is a neutral word, meaning it doesn't sound overly fancy or overly slangy.
Commonly, we pair it with nouns to describe states: low temperature, low price, and low risk. When you want to sound more formal, you might use synonyms like 'minimal' or 'depressed,' but low remains the most natural choice for everyday communication.
Idioms make English colorful! Here are five common ones:
- Keep a low profile: To avoid attracting attention.
- Low-hanging fruit: The easiest tasks to achieve.
- Lay low: To stay hidden or avoid notice.
- Low blow: An unfair or mean remark.
- At a low ebb: Feeling tired or having little energy.
The word low functions primarily as an adjective, but it can also be an adverb (e.g., 'He flew the plane low'). The IPA for both US and UK English is /loʊ/.
It rhymes with go, show, slow, throw, and know. When using it in a sentence, it usually comes before the noun, such as 'a low fence,' or after a linking verb, such as 'the water is low.'
Fun Fact
It shares roots with the word 'lag' in some contexts.
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'o' sound.
Diphthong 'o' sound.
Common Errors
- pronouncing the 'w'
- shortening the vowel
- stressing the wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Adjective Placement
The low table.
Linking Verbs
It is low.
Adverbial usage
Fly low.
Examples by Level
The table is low.
table = mesa
adjective after verb
The sun is low.
My chair is low.
The water is low.
Keep your voice low.
Prices are low.
He is low.
The fence is low.
The shelf is too low for me.
He has a low voice.
The car has low mileage.
The temperature is very low today.
We have low expectations.
The plane flew low.
The battery is low.
Keep the heat low.
The company has low profits this year.
She felt low after the news.
The wall is quite low.
There is a low chance of rain.
They live in a low building.
The music was played at a low volume.
He kept a low profile at the party.
The interest rates are low.
The project carries a low level of risk.
He was at a low point in his career.
The engine makes a low humming sound.
The area is prone to low pressure systems.
She has a low tolerance for noise.
The standards are surprisingly low.
We need a low maintenance solution.
The stock hit a new low.
The policy had a low impact on the economy.
He spoke in a low, conspiratorial tone.
The organization is in a low state of morale.
There is a low probability of success.
The building has a low ceiling.
The mountain range has many low peaks.
Her voice dropped to a low whisper.
The cost of living is relatively low.
The atmosphere was heavy with a low, ominous rumble.
He felt a low sense of self-worth.
The lowlands are prone to flooding.
The argument was a low point in their friendship.
She maintained a low profile during the scandal.
The low-frequency vibrations were barely audible.
His spirits were at an all-time low.
The design emphasizes a low center of gravity.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"keep a low profile"
avoid attention
He kept a low profile at work.
neutral"low-hanging fruit"
easy goals
Let's focus on the low-hanging fruit first.
business"lay low"
stay hidden
The suspect decided to lay low.
casual"low blow"
unfair attack
That comment was a real low blow.
casual"at a low ebb"
feeling bad
His confidence was at a low ebb.
formal"low and behold"
surprise
Low and behold, he was there!
informalEasily Confused
Both relate to height
Short is for people, low is for objects
Short man vs low table
Verb form
Lower is an action
Lower the flag
Adjective form
Lowly means humble
A lowly servant
Quantity
Small is size, low is level
Small box vs low price
Sentence Patterns
The [noun] is low.
The fence is low.
Keep [noun] low.
Keep your voice low.
A low [noun].
A low price.
At a low [noun].
At a low level.
Hit a new low.
The stock hit a new low.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
We say a short person, not a low person.
Lowly means humble, not physically short.
Down is a direction, low is a state.
It is better to say 'low volume' than 'a low sound'.
Low status is more common.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a low stool.
Native Speakers
Use it for battery levels.
Cultural Insight
Lowlands in geography.
Grammar Shortcut
Adjective + Noun.
Say It Right
Long O sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use for height of people.
Did You Know?
It is one of the oldest words.
Study Smart
Use flashcards.
Context
Check weather reports.
Adverb usage
The plane flew low.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
LOW: Lying On Wood (close to the ground).
Visual Association
A cat sitting under a very low table.
Word Web
Défi
Describe five things in your room that are low.
Origine du mot
Old Norse
Original meaning: short
Contexte culturel
Avoid calling people 'low' as it can imply they are inferior.
Used frequently in weather reports and financial news.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Technology
- low battery
- low signal
- low power
Shopping
- low price
- low cost
- low quality
Weather
- low pressure
- low temperature
- low clouds
Work
- low profile
- low priority
- low risk
Conversation Starters
"What is a low price you have seen recently?"
"Do you prefer high or low tables?"
"How do you keep a low profile?"
"What do you do when your battery is low?"
"Have you ever felt at a low point?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt at a low point.
Write about a low-cost travel experience.
Why is it important to keep a low profile sometimes?
Describe a room with low ceilings.
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsYes, it can be used as an adverb.
It is rude, avoid it.
No, it rhymes with go.
No, but 'lower' is.
High.
It is neutral.
Yes, low price.
L-O-W.
Teste-toi
The table is ___.
Low describes height.
Which means quiet?
Low volume is quiet.
Low can describe a mood.
Yes, a low mood means feeling sad.
Word
Signification
Idiom matching.
Correct structure.
The ___ pressure system is moving in.
Weather term.
What is a low point?
Metaphorical meaning.
Lowly and low are the same.
Lowly means humble.
Word
Signification
Business idiom.
Idiomatic structure.
Score : /10
Summary
Low is a versatile word used to describe height, quantity, volume, and mood.
- Low means not high.
- It describes volume and mood.
- It is a very common word.
- It is the opposite of high.
Memory Palace
Visualize a low stool.
Native Speakers
Use it for battery levels.
Cultural Insight
Lowlands in geography.
Grammar Shortcut
Adjective + Noun.
Exemple
This is very low.
Related Content
Apprendre en contexte
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur Descriptions
short
A1Describes something that measures a small distance from one end to the other or is not tall in height. It is also used to describe a brief period of time or a limited amount of something.
rapid
A1Il semble y avoir une erreur ici. 'Rapid' est un adjectif pour rapide. Vouliez-vous dire 'rapid'?
narrow
A1Narrow describes something that has a very small distance from one side to the other. It is the opposite of wide and is often used to describe roads, paths, or spaces.
thick
A1Describes something that has a large distance between its two opposite sides or surfaces. It can also describe liquids that are dense and do not flow easily, or things that grow closely together like hair or forest trees.
full
A1The complete amount or the state of being total without any parts missing. It is most frequently used in fixed phrases like 'in full' to describe a payment or a name that is complete.
gray
A1A neutral color that is a mixture of black and white, often seen in clouds, ash, or lead. It is used to describe objects that lack bright color or to represent a sense of seriousness and neutrality.
purple
A1Purple is a color that is made by mixing red and blue together. It is a common color found in nature, such as in certain flowers and fruits like grapes.
tiny
A1Describes something that is very small in size, amount, or degree. It is more emphatic than the word 'small' and is often used to highlight how little something is.
perfect
A1En grammaire, le « perfect » désigne un temps verbal pour une action terminée. On l'utilise aussi dans l'expression « c'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron » pour parler de la perfection.
massive
A1Something that is massive is very, very large and heavy. It can also describe something that is much bigger or more powerful than usual.
