lowly
[loh-lee]
- humble in station, condition, or nature: a lowly cottage.
- low in growth or position.
- humble in attitude, behavior, or spirit; meek.
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- in a low position, manner, or degree: a lowly placed shelf.
- in a lowly manner; humbly.
- in a quiet voice; softly: to converse lowly.
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Origin of lowly
Synonyms
See more synonyms for lowly on Thesaurus.com3. modest, simple, unpretentious.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for lowly
Contemporary Examples
Lowly freshman congressmen could now buck the speaker, as one rich guy could fund their next campaign.
He was a lowly country lawyer and she a Kentucky aristocrat who had come to visit her older sister in Illinois.
With three years left to his presidency, we are reduced to the lowly ambition of executive orders.
One of the best presidential orators in history, Obama was reduced to the lowly ambition of executive orders.
He also took aim at senior Republican figures and lowly GOP Hill staffers.
Historical Examples
He was no simple and lowly one from the ranks of the disinherited.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
His plan of the popes reigning by means of the poor and lowly now horrified him.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
Learn of Me that I am meek and lowly, and ye shall find rest to your souls.
Albert DurerT. Sturge Moore
He revolted because the office of stablemaster appeared too lowly for him.
The Chinese Fairy BookVarious
Particularly was he interested in the vast, lowly mound-fish.
lowly
- humble or low in position, rank, status, etc
- full of humility; meek
- simple, unpretentious, or plain
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- in a low or lowly manner
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for lowly
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper