Skip to main content
low-set

low-set

4.7
Lower than usual and close to the ground
  • adjective
  • /loʊ sɛt/
translation icon : de baja posición
  • She noticed that his low-set ears gave him a unique appearance.

Examples

  • On examination, all 3 were found to have strabismus, primary telecanthus, bilateral coloboma iridis, and low-set ears with posterior rotation of the pinnae.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The dog had low-set ears that seemed to droop slightly as it ran.

  • The cat's low-set body made it look stout and sturdy.

Synonyms

low
vslow-set
1.0

Near the ground in height

is specifically about being lower than normal or typical in position
low-lying
vslow-set
15 4.1

Areas close to the ground or sea level that often flood

focuses on being lower than usual on a person or object instead of land
low-growing
vslow-set
1 3.4

Plants that grow close to the ground and are short

applies more broadly to body parts or objects lower than usual
squat
vslow-set
1 4.6

Short and wide, low to the ground

means lower than typical in position rather than describing body shape

Antonyms

high
  • Literature
90 5.1

A place that is above the surrounding ground

How Low

low-set
4.7

Surface Forms

low-set positive

Morphology

low-set = low + set (transparent) = low + set

The adjective is a straightforward compound 'low' + 'set' meaning 'set low'; speakers who know 'low' and 'set' can derive the meaning.

Etymology

Low-set comes from the parts low 'not high' and set 'placed'. So it literally means 'placed low' or 'near the ground', which is why we use it for ears, doors, or animal bodies that sit lower than usual.