lowly
Americanadjective
-
lowlier,
comparative
-
lowliest
superlative
-
humble in station, condition, or nature.
a lowly cottage.
-
low in growth or position.
-
humble in attitude, behavior, or spirit; meek.
- Synonyms:
- unpretentious, simple, modest
adjective
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humble or low in position, rank, status, etc
-
full of humility; meek
-
simple, unpretentious, or plain
adverb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of lowly
A Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at low 1, -ly
Explanation
Lowly things aren't considered to be important or impressive. Your lowly position on a sports team might make you best suited to carry all of the players' equipment. When a person is described as lowly, the world often refers to their job or social class. A lowly janitor might not get as much respect as the CEO of a huge company, even if she's a kinder person. A lowly member of an AAA baseball team might only dream about joining the major leagues. The adjective lowly has been around since the 14th century, from low, "not high," and also "humble in rank."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The stock is trading at a lowly multiple, Berenberg says, as it increases its target price to 390 pence from 360 pence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Ryu's recent success is all the more remarkable given she missed the cut in this event 12 months ago, and was a lowly 61st at PGA Frisco in 2025.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
It’s unheard of for Cabinet members or the vice president to take such a lowly job.
From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026
Rebuffs have come from more lowly corners, too.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026
It was one of the reasons I, a lowly sophomore, was keeping my own game under wraps for the time being.
From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben
Ephraim, younger and less weathered, will perform the lowlier chores, like scrubbing the floors and emptying the waste into the waves.
From The New Yorker ● Oct. 18, 2019
Blackburn Rovers triumphed in 1995, but now languish in a lowlier division; most fans, and players, will remain keen on the biggest clubs.
From Economist ● May 2, 2016
The Olympics showed us a different model: superfit, lowlier but disciplined sports people whom I very much doubt were not at it day and night after competing.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 3, 2013
One explanation is that England, wittingly or not, approach their matches against the lowlier sides in a different way.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 12, 2011
Trees the most lovingly shelter and shade us when, like the willow, the higher soar their summits, the lowlier droop their bows.—Bulwer-Lytton.
From Pearls of Thought by Maturin Murray Ballou
George parlays this job into a major’s rank, but only in the Virginia Militia, not the Royal Army, whose officers continue to treat him like the lowliest private.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Sarah, not her real name, explained: “There was most definitely a culture of fear across the whole store - from the lowliest of the low, to the most senior person.”
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2024
This colorful, wreath-shaped cake is featured from January 6th until Fat Tuesday in the finest bakeries and the lowliest of supermarkets and just about everywhere in between.
From Salon ● Feb. 13, 2024
Sweet potatoes, fruit Jello, and roast pork — not turkey — would be served to all the inmates, from the lowliest cutpurse to what amounted to the celebrity wing, and its residents:
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 23, 2023
If someone had asked me about becoming a minister, I would have been astonished, and told them I was happy and willing to serve Mr. Muhammad in the lowliest capacity.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
