low 1 S1 W1 / ləʊ $ loʊ / 形容词 ( comparative lower , superlative lowest )

1 small amount/level/value

a) small, or smaller than usual, in amount, level, or value 反义词 high

low income/pay/wages

families existing on very low incomes

In May, the price of cocoa fell to its lowest level since 1975–76.

Morale has been low since the latest round of job cuts.

In this sort of investment, the risks are fairly low.

low temperatures

the need for low-cost housing

a low-security prison

b) low in something having less than the usual amount of a substance or chemical 反义词 high :

food that is low in calories

low-fat/low-salt etc

low-alcohol beer

c) in the low 20s/50s etc if a number, temperature, or level is in the low 20s, 30s etc, it is between 21 and 23, 31 and 33 etc :

Tonight, temperatures in most areas will be in the low 50s.

2

height

a) having a top that is not far above the ground 反义词 high :

a low wall

a long low building

b) at a point that is not far above the ground or near the bottom of something 反义词 high :

low clouds

The sun was low in the sky now.

Store raw meat on the lowest shelf.

c) below the usual height 反义词 high :

a low bridge

a low ceiling

The river is very low today.

3 standards/quality bad, or below an acceptable or usual level or quality 同义词 poor 反义词 high :

Their safety standards seem to be pretty low.

Cost-cutting has led to a lower quality of service.

the children’s low achievement in school

4 supply if you are low on something, or if your supply of something is low, there is not much of it left

be/get/run low (on something)

We’re running low on gas.

Stocks are getting low.

5 voice/sound

a) not loud :

I heard a low moaning noise.

The volume is too low – turn it up.

a low whisper

b) not high :

a low note

6 light a light that is low is not bright 同义词 dim :

Use low lighting to give the room a romantic atmosphere.

7 heat if you cook something over a low heat or in a low oven , you cook it using only a small amount of heat 反义词 high

8 battery a battery that is low does not have much power left in it

9 clothes a low dress, blouse etc does not cover your neck and the top of your chest → low-cut

10 unhappy [名词前不用] unhappy and without much hope for the future 同义词 depressed :

He was feeling a bit low, so I did my best to cheer him up.

Terry seems to be in rather low spirits today.

→ be at a low ebb at ebb 1 ( 2 )

— lowness 名词 [不可数名词]

THESAURUS

voices/sounds that are not high

low a low voice or sound is not high on the scale of musical sounds : I can’t sing the low notes. | He’s got quite a low singing voice. | Boys’ voices usually become much lower as they get older.

deep a deep voice or sound is low, strong, and pleasant : He has a lovely deep voice. | The engine has a wonderfully deep sound to it, like it’s ready to race.

husky a husky voice is deep, quiet, and rough-sounding, especially in a way that is attractive : Monroe sang ‘Happy Birthday, Mr President’ in a slow husky voice. | His voice dropped to a husky whisper.

gravelly a gravelly voice is very low and rough sounding : The singer is famous for his gravelly voice.