nadir

American  

[ney-der, ney-deer] / ˈneɪ dər, ˈneɪ dɪər /

noun

1. Astronomy. the point on the celestial sphere directly beneath a given position or observer and diametrically opposite the zenith.

2. Astrology. the point of a horoscope opposite the midheaven: the cusp of the fourth house.

3. the lowest point; point of greatest adversity or despair.

   Synonyms:

   foot, floor, bottom

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nadir British  

/ ˈneɪdɪə, ˈnæ- /

noun

1. the point on the celestial sphere directly below an observer and diametrically opposite the zenith

2. the lowest or deepest point; depths

   the nadir of despair

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nadir Scientific  

/ nā′dər /

1. The point on the celestial sphere that is directly below the observer (90 degrees below the celestial horizon).

2. Compare zenith

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Other Word Forms

• nadiral adjective

Etymology

Origin of nadir

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English nadir, nader, nadair, from Middle French nadir “point opposite the zenith,” from Medieval Latin nadir “point opposite the sun,” from Arabic naẓīr (as-samt) “opposite (the zenith)”; see also zenith ( def. )

Explanation

If a highly forgetful person loses his phone, his wallet, and then his car keys in separate instances all in one day, you could say that he has reached an organizational nadir. This means “lowest point.” This was originally strictly an astronomical term and is the opposite of the word zenith, which is the part of the sky located directly above a person’s head or, “high point.” In fact, nadir is derived from the Arabic nazir, which means “opposite to.” It is still used in astronomy to indicate the part of the celestial sphere located directly below an observer, but also more generally to describe the worst point of someone’s life or career.

Example Sentences

Standardized test scores have trended upward since the nadir of the COVID-19 pandemic, recovering faster than the state average, but the pace remains too incremental for critics.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

The three major tech-focused sectors—information technology, consumer discretionary, and communications services—have all booked solid gains over the past five days and have led the market higher since its March 30 nadir.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

For investors hoping that this year’s stock-market pullback has already reached its nadir, BTIG’s Jonathan Krinsky has some bad news.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Borthwick's England are now facing their own nadir - the possibility of four defeats in the same Five or Six Nations for the first time since 1976, and the likelihood of matching Jones' fifth-place finish.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Agent Jones had lived through a lot in his years with the agency, but tonight marked the absolute nadir.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Related Words

• rock bottom