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low

low

94 1.0
Quiet and hard to hear
  • adjective
  • /loʊ/
: bajo
  • He spoke in a low voice to avoid waking the baby.

Examples

  • I could barely hear the speaker because her voice was so low.

  • And this, this, this voice down low left side, boom back at me.

  • The odds of it happening twice to the same person are extremely low.

  • I hear the balloon firing its air, a low hiss coming from the sky.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Manny could hear her through the door, speaking in low, urgent tones on the telephone.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The sauropod peered alertly at them and made a low trumpeting sound, rather like an elephant.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I mean, I wouldn't call it silent, but it's low roar isn't overly distracting.

  • The film's background music was kept low so the dialogue would be clearer.

Synonyms

quiet
vslow
∞ 1.0

Not making much noise

is about volume specifically rather than general calmness
weak
vslow
114 1.0

Not strong in sound, light, or color

focuses on quietness of sound rather than general weakness
muted
vslow
24 4.0

Sound that is softer and quieter than usual

is ordinary quietness rather than intentionally reduced intensity
low-toned
vslow
4 3.9

A voice or sound that is quiet and low

is general quietness of sound rather than emphasizing pitch
lowish
vslow
1 3.0

Slightly below the usual amount, level, or sound

refers specifically to quietness of voice or sound rather than general amount

Antonyms

629 1.0

In a way that makes a lot of noise

Idioms

Act quietly so people do not notice you

13 7.2

Unable to do normal work and activities because of illness or a serious problem

high and low
  • Informal
8 3.6

In many different places

6 7.6

A person who has a low rank in a group or at work

Act in a less honest way to get an advantage

1 3.9

To search everywhere for something that is lost

1 3.3

Cooking at low heat for a long time makes meat tender and adds flavor

Feeling sad and without energy

Compounds

129 2.0

Cheap to buy and easy to afford

123 1.0

A cost lower than normal that makes something affordable

112 3.8

Not very strong and present in small amounts

96 3.3

A position with little power in an organization

69 4.4

A way of behaving to avoid attention or public notice

low-interest
  • Specialized
52 3.4

A loan or card that charges only a small extra amount for borrowing money

35 3.0

Planned or made to cost little money

20 2.8

Something that is not good or well made

17 4.1

Areas close to the ground or sea level that often flood

16 4.5

A sound or wave that has long waves and a low pitch

15 1.4

The time when the sea is at its lowest level

low-cut
  • NSFW
13 3.5

Clothes with a low neckline or back that show more skin

13 3.4

Easy tasks that give quick results

13 3.9

Calm and gentle, not forceful or pushy

low blow
  • Offensive
13 5.5

A remark or action that unfairly hurts someone's feelings

10 4.3

Happening near the ground or sea level

low road
  • Informal
10 7.0

A way of acting that is dishonest or unfair

low density
  • Specialized
9 3.7

A small amount of material in a space like foam or gas

9 2.5

An eating plan that has little fat and more foods like bread or meat

low-information
  • Offensive
6 7.3

Someone who has little factual knowledge and follows simple slogans rather than facts

6 3.7

A position lower than others in work or society

5 4.0

A building with only one or a few floors and no elevator

low-resolution
  • Specialized
5 4.6

Showing pictures with few details that look blocky

low-voltage
  • Specialized
5 4.2

Using a low amount of electricity to reduce the risk of electric shock

5 3.7

Happening close to the ground

5 1.0

Milk that has less fat than whole milk

low profile
  • Specialized
4 3.8

Made to be thin or flat to fit into small spaces

4 4.3

A space that has little material or few people

low ebb
  • Informal
4 6.5

A time when energy and success are low

3 3.2

A lower setting in a vehicle that gives more power and less speed for starting and climbing

3 3.7

The lowest tide level at the shore or in a river

low-level
  • Specialized
3 6.7

Relating to code or systems that work close to the parts of a computer

low-down
  • Slang
3 8.5

True information about something often not widely known

3 3.4

A deep sound that you hear in music or a person's voice

A way of eating that limits calories to help lose weight or improve health

2 3.5

Trousers or jeans that sit low on the hips below the waistline

low frequency
  • Specialized
2 4.9

A radio frequency between 30 and 300 kilohertz used for communication

2 3.7

A deep sound or voice that is not high

high-low
  • Jargon
2 7.0

A type of poker where the pot is split between the highest and lowest hands

low explosive
  • Specialized
2 7.6

An explosive that burns slowly and does not make a strong shock wave like black powder

A plane or helicopter flying very low above the ground

very low frequency
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A range of very low radio waves used for communication over long distances, for example by submarines

A low-lying region in western Europe near the North Sea made up of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands

1 5.1

A dress or skirt with a hem that is shorter at the front and longer at the back

A room or building with a ceiling lower than usual

1 5.1

A small particle in the blood that carries cholesterol and increases heart disease risk when levels are high

low-birth-weight baby
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A baby born weighing less than 5.5 pounds or 2,500 grams

1 3.7

A headlight setting that lights the road without blinding other drivers

1 6.8

Radio waves below 3 kilohertz that scientists and the military use for long-distance communication and measurement

1 6.5

Radioactive material from medical tests and hospital procedures that has low radiation and needs safe handling

low comedy
  • NSFW
1 6.7

Funny acting in plays or films that uses physical actions and rude jokes

A diet that limits how much salt you eat to help control blood pressure

low-pass filter
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A device that lets slow changes in signals pass and reduces fast changes

1 3.5

A feeling of being a little sad or down

Homes that have low rent for people with little money

1 9.2

A priest leads a short Roman Catholic church service with little or no singing

Giving few useful details that help people decide

A way of eating that limits salt to help control high blood pressure

1 4.0

A headlight set to point down to avoid blinding other drivers

1 3.9

A baby born weighing less than 5.5 pounds or 2,500 grams

low-sudsing
  • Specialized
1 6.8

Producing few bubbles when mixed with water

Exercise with gentle movements like swimming or cycling that does not put much stress on the joints

1 5.1

Feeling sad and without much energy

The lowest or worst point in a situation

low-carbon steel
  • Specialized
1 3.8

Steel with little carbon that is soft and easy to shape and weld

1 7.9

The Sunday after Easter when churches hold special services

1 8.4

A group of German dialects spoken in northern Germany and parts of the Netherlands and Denmark

1 5.4

A blood particle that carries fat from the liver to body tissues and can become LDL cholesterol

low relief
  • Specialized
1 7.8

A style of sculpture where shapes stand out a little from a flat background with no part fully separate

1 4.4

A roof or surface that slopes gently and is not steep

A visible line showing the lowest level reached by water

1 6.0

An electrical wire or system that uses low voltage

A small low shrub with sweet dark blue berries

How Loud

deafening
30 3.5
loud
775 1.0
low
94 1.0
faint
157 2.7
silent
278 1.0

Surface Forms

low positive
lower comparative
lowest superlative

Etymology

Low comes from an old English word meaning 'not high' or close to the ground, and that idea was used for sounds that are soft or faint. So a 'low' hum is a quiet sound you can hardly hear.