low-quality

American  

[loh-kwol-i-tee] / ˈloʊˈkwɒl ɪ ti /

adjective

1. substandard; of inferior quality: Repairs made with low-quality parts are cheaper, but they won’t last long.

   It’s hard to make a delicious dish when you start with low-quality ingredients.

   Repairs made with low-quality parts are cheaper, but they won’t last long.

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Etymology

Origin of low-quality

First recorded in 1815–20; low ¹ ( def. ) + quality ( def. )

Example Sentences

“He flouted the lawful authority of the FDA and deliberately deceived the public by repackaging low-quality, foreign-made test kits at a time when accuracy and reliability were critical,” Grant said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

There are other reforms worth testing: more open peer review, better data availability checks, and stronger triage to screen out low-quality submissions before they consume reviewer time.

From Slate • May 3, 2026

“If you buy low-quality seeds, you’re putting a ceiling on how productive your land can be.”

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

A 2025 internal document spotlighted YouTube’s “two biggest challenges” for teen well-being: low-quality recommendations that can “normalize unhealthy beliefs” and “prolonged unintentional use.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Stanton weeded out unfit and incompetent officers; battled dishonest government contractors who sold the army low-quality uniforms, rotting equipment, and defective weapons; and endured an epidemic of officers who would not fight.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson