lowly

[ loh-lee ]

adjective

, low·li·er, low·li·est.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈlowliness, noun

Other Words From

• lowli·ly adverb
• lowli·ness noun
• un·lowly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lowly¹

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

Example Sentences

Even in the state of half-sleep—psychologists call it hypnagogia—our minds are sufficiently loose to descend from those lowly hills.

From Nautilus

As a lowly employee, your ability to correct his behavior is limited.

From Washington Post

Because of their tie in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Eagles could do the Cowboys one better — winning the division with a lowly 4-11-1 record.

From FiveThirtyEight

Even as he argued that man ought to be humbled by his connection to the lemur, he placed man at the summit, the lemur on the lowly plain.

From Nautilus

The Laker players file onto the chartered team bus to make their way back to the facility for a brief practice run before the night’s matchup against the lowly Cavaliers.

From FiveThirtyEight

Lowly freshman congressmen could now buck the speaker, as one rich guy could fund their next campaign.

From The Daily Beast

He was a lowly country lawyer and she a Kentucky aristocrat who had come to visit her older sister in Illinois.

From The Daily Beast

With three years left to his presidency, we are reduced to the lowly ambition of executive orders.

From The Daily Beast

One of the best presidential orators in history, Obama was reduced to the lowly ambition of executive orders.

From The Daily Beast

He also took aim at senior Republican figures and lowly GOP Hill staffers.

From The Daily Beast

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

From Project Gutenberg

She was delighted with these indications of gratitude and sensibility on the part of the unenlightened and lowly peasantry.

From Project Gutenberg

A deep sigh—the first of unfeigned regret for her lowly station—perhaps of envy—broke from the lips of the wondering girl.

From Project Gutenberg

They were, for the chief part, of lowly condition, but occasionally one or two of better rank.

From Project Gutenberg

In striking contrast to all this magnificence was the lowly home to which James Starbuck brought his happy bride.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• humble