lowball

American  

[loh-bawl] / ˈloʊˌbɔl /

noun

1. Cards. a game of draw poker in which the player having the lowest-ranking hand wins the pot.

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verb (used with object)

1. to deliberately estimate a lower price for (a service or merchandise) than one intends to charge.

   to lowball the cost of a move.

2. to give a false estimate or bid for.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in lowballing.

adjective

1. engaged in or characteristic of lowballing.

   a lowball bid.

lowball British  

/ ˈləʊˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a game of poker in which the player with the lowest hand wins

2. 1. a very low estimate or offer

   2. ( as modifier )

      a lowball bid

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verb

1. (tr) to make a very low estimate or offer for (a service, product, company, etc)

Etymology

Origin of lowball

low ¹ + ball ¹

Explanation

When you lowball someone, you attempt to buy something from them by offering a lot less money than it's actually worth. If you want to buy a car that you can't quite afford, you might decide to lowball. Whether you estimate something's value, make an offer to buy something, or try to hire a worker for a very small salary, you lowball. The word works as an adjective too: "He was selling fancy lemonade for two dollars a cup, but I made him a lowball offer, since I only had a quarter in my pocket." This informal slang word was coined in the US, from a railroad term.

Example Sentences

“People were just trying to lowball us,” Schwab said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

But even those lowball official projections may not be low enough, writes Stephen Brown, deputy chief North America economist at Capital Economics.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

So when applicants lowball, they may end up pricing themselves well below what the company actually budgeted to pay.

From Slate • Jan. 20, 2026

Challenges with extensive itemization lists, lowball estimates, poor communication and changes with adjusters are major factors for customers.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2025

And that may be a lowball estimate, according to the American Security Project.

From Salon • Jun. 29, 2025