low
adjective
uk/ləʊ/ usbelow the usual or expected level or amount:
The offer was rejected on the grounds that it was too low.
low inflation/interest rates/taxes The housing boom coincided with a flat economy, low inflation, and a falling stock market.
Interest rates fell to their lowest level since records began in January 1975.
low prices/costs/fees Higher profits and lower prices lift demand and keep inflation in check.
The manufacturing industry has been hit by low productivity, falling sales and mounting losses.
Developers are focusing on building more affordable housing targeted at families on low incomes.
These dedicated staff put up with long hours and low pay, because they love the job.
low unemployment/crime Unemployment in the region is lower than the national average.
not very good or acceptable:
low quality/standards Attempts at voluntary regulation had failed because too many companies with low standards had not joined the system.
not important because of being at the bottom of a range or group of things:
Transport was a low priority for the new administration.
More flexible working conditions are changing the traditionally low status of part-time jobs.
be/get/run low (on sth)
to have very little of something left:
Gas stations were running low on supplies due to the blockade.
This symbol means the printer ink is getting low.
Compare
high adjective
low
adverb
uk/ləʊ/ usat a level which is less than usual or expected:
Working from home and communicating online helped them keep costs low while they were setting up their new business.
at or to a position of less importance:
Ethics training ranks low on the manager's priority list.
low
noun [ C ]
uk/ləʊ/ usthe lowest level that something has reached since it has been measured or during a particular period:
hit/fall to a low The company's stock fell to a six-month low.
a new/record/all-time low The dollar hit a record low against the euro and was down sharply against the Japanese yen.
The price of oil has nearly doubled from last year's lows.
Compare
high noun
See also
historic low