lowly

American  

[loh-lee] / ˈloʊ li /

adjective

lowlier, lowliest

1. humble in station, condition, or nature.

   a lowly cottage.

2. low in growth or position.

3. humble in attitude, behavior, or spirit; meek.

   Synonyms:

   unpretentious , simple , modest

---

adverb

1. in a low position, manner, or degree.

   a lowly placed shelf.

2. in a lowly manner; humbly.

3. in a quiet voice; softly.

   to converse lowly.

lowly British  

/ ˈləʊlɪ /

adjective

1. humble or low in position, rank, status, etc

2. full of humility; meek

3. simple, unpretentious, or plain

---

adverb

1. in a low or lowly manner

Other Word Forms

• lowlily adverb
• lowliness noun
• unlowly adjective

Etymology

Origin of lowly

A Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; low ¹, -ly

Example Sentences

“Make it staff,” Faas said—meaning a member of AP, not a lowly stringer.

From The Wall Street Journal

She poses as a mentor to Tess, but she’s not about to let some lowly secretary keep her from coming out on top in a man’s world.

From Los Angeles Times

They have restricted the Lions and Packers to a combined 16 points in the last two games, so even the lowly 26 that Hurts and company have mustered have been enough.

From BBC

The Buffalo Bills sit at 6-3 after looking out of sorts in a blowout loss to the lowly Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

From The Wall Street Journal

Beaten 3-1 at lowly West Ham last weekend, Newcastle are languishing in 14th place and have failed to win an away league match in nine attempts since April.

From Barron's

Related Words

• humble