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low

low

3 6.8
The forward gear used for starting or extra power
  • noun
  • /loʊ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : marcha baja
  • The driver shifted into low gear to climb the steep hill more easily.

Examples

  • When tackling rough terrain, switching to low gear allows for better control and power.

  • In low gear, the engine provides more torque, making it easier to start moving from a stop.

  • But these deals were struck immediately before the onset of the financial crisis, which caused interest rates to drop to historic lows.

    Blog text (8)
  • We're in for near record lows in what is set to become one of the coldest Novembers on record.

  • While citywide registration for the general election—502,841 total—reached an all-time historic high, the turnout rate, 52 percent, is at a historic low.

    Blog text (18)

Synonyms

first gear
vslow
3 2.8

A gear in a car that makes the car move slowly when you start

is used to give extra power at slow speeds rather than only to start
low gear
vslow
2 3.2

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

is the very bottom forward gear used for starting and extra power at slow speeds
first
vslow
5.4

The lowest gear in a car that you use to start moving

is used also for extra power at slow speeds rather than only for starting

Antonyms

high
  • Specialized
25 6.7

A vehicle gear that gives the most speed for the engine

Idioms

Act quietly so people do not notice you

20 7.2

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

high and low
  • Informal
7 3.6

In many different places

Act in a less honest way to get an advantage

2 7.6

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

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

55 4.4

A way of behaving to avoid attention or public notice

52 1.0

A cost lower than normal that makes something affordable

42 2.0

Cheap to buy and easy to afford

33 3.8

Not very strong and present in small amounts

low-interest
  • Specialized
33 3.4

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

32 3.0

Planned or made to cost little money

25 3.3

A position with little power in an organization

15 4.1

Areas close to the ground or sea level that often flood

13 2.8

Something that is not good or well made

11 1.4

The time when the sea is at its lowest level

low-cut
  • NSFW
10 3.5

Clothes with a low neckline or back that show more skin

8 3.4

Easy tasks that give quick results

low blow
  • Offensive
8 5.5

A remark or action that unfairly hurts someone's feelings

5 4.3

Happening near the ground or sea level

low profile
  • Specialized
5 3.8

Made to be thin or flat to fit into small spaces

low road
  • Informal
5 7.0

A way of acting that is dishonest or unfair

5 2.5

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

5 3.9

Calm and gentle, not forceful or pushy

4 3.7

Happening close to the ground

low-resolution
  • Specialized
4 4.6

Showing pictures with few details that look blocky

3 1.0

Milk that has less fat than whole milk

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

low ebb
  • Informal
3 6.5

A time when energy and success are low

low-level
  • Specialized
2 6.7

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

2 4.0

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

low frequency
  • Specialized
2 4.9

A radio frequency between 30 and 300 kilohertz used for communication

2 3.2

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

2 3.7

The lowest tide level at the shore or in a river

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

1 4.3

A space that has little material or few people

low-information
  • Offensive
1 7.3

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

low-voltage
  • Specialized
1 4.2

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

1 6.8

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

1 3.7

A position lower than others in work or society

A room or building with a ceiling lower than usual

low-down
  • Slang
1 8.5

True information about something often not widely known

very low frequency
  • Specialized
1 6.5

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

1 3.7

A headlight setting that lights the road without blinding other drivers

low density
  • Specialized
1 3.7

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

1 3.4

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

low-birth-weight baby
  • Specialized
1 3.9

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

1 5.1

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

1 6.5

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

Homes that have low rent for people with little money

low-pass filter
  • Specialized
1 5.5

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

1 3.7

A deep sound or voice that is not high

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

low explosive
  • Specialized
1 7.6

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

1 9.2

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

low comedy
  • NSFW
1 6.7

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

1 7.9

The Sunday after Easter when churches hold special services

1 3.5

A feeling of being a little sad or down

1 3.9

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

1 3.5

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

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

1 5.1

Feeling sad and without much energy

low-sudsing
  • Specialized
1 6.8

Producing few bubbles when mixed with water

high-low
  • Jargon
1 7.0

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

A group of about eighty coral islands in French Polynesia that are part of the Tuamotu Islands

A light setting that lights the road ahead without blinding other drivers

A low evergreen bush with glossy leaves and black berries that grows in the southeastern United States

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

Low Latin
  • Specialized
9.9

Forms of Latin used after the ancient period, especially in the Middle Ages

3.0

A low-growing shrub that has sweet dark blue berries in small groups

low brass
  • Specialized
8.4

A metal made mostly of copper that has 30% or less zinc

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

low vowel
  • Specialized
6.3

A speech sound made with the tongue low in the mouth, like the 'a' in 'cat'

low relief
  • Specialized
7.8

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

A low plant with yellow flowers that have four petals in a cross

4.0

A headlight set to point down to avoid blinding other drivers

low-carbon steel
  • Specialized
3.8

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

A small low shrub with sweet dark blue berries

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

Surface Forms

low singular
lows plural

Etymology

Low for a gear in a vehicle uses the same idea of being 'not high' or slow in speed, so starting in 'low' gear gives you more power at low speed. That's why drivers shift into 'low' on hills or for heavy loads.