lowly
UK /ˈləʊli/ · US /ˈloʊli/ adjective, adverb
Forms lowlier lowliest
- adjective Not high; not elevated in place; low.
- adjective Low in rank or social importance.
- adjective Not lofty or sublime; humble.
- adjective Having a low esteem of one's own worth; humble; meek; free from pride.
- adverb In a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly.
- adverb In a low condition; meanly.
- adverb At low pitch or volume.
Synonyms
nether nonhigh unhigh common ignoble plebeian demure modest unpretentious abased diffident humble humble-hearted low meek mild poor resigned self-effacing verecund small junior-grade lower-ranking petty secondary subaltern menial base baseborn
Etymology
From low + -ly; compare Middle English lowly.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Not high; not elevated in place; low. "Lowly lands." Dryden.
- adjective Low in rank or social importance.
- adverb In a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly. "Be lowly wise." Milton.
- adverb In a low condition; meanly.
Etymology [Low, a. + - ly.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “lowly”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details