lowly

[loh-lee]

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

/ 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

• lowliness noun
• lowlily adverb
• unlowly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lowly¹

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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• humble