Low Meaning
Low Definition & Usage
Situated or positioned at a relatively small distance from the ground or a base level.
Examples
- "The table was too low for the chair to fit comfortably underneath."
- "He bent down to pick up the low-hanging fruit."
- "The plane was flying at a dangerously low altitude."
- "The city is built on a low-lying plain prone to flooding."
- "They reached the low point of the valley after a long hike."
Having a small or less than expected quantity, degree, or intensity.
Examples
- "She felt a bit low after hearing the news."
- "The battery level on my phone is dangerously low."
- "The company reported a low profit margin this quarter."
- "There was a low turnout at the event despite the promotion."
- "The low interest rates helped stimulate the housing market."
To make something less high or lower in position or intensity.
Examples
- "Please low the volume; I’m trying to concentrate."
- "The engineers worked to low the bridge to make it safer for boats."
- "They had to low the expectations of the team after the initial failures."
- "We need to low the temperature in the oven to prevent burning."
- "Can you low the intensity of the lights? It’s too bright in here."
Cultural Context
The word 'low' comes from Old English 'lōw', meaning 'not high, near to the ground'. Over time, it has taken on various figurative meanings, including those related to emotional or quantitative states. It is widely used in both formal and informal contexts, in everything from discussions of physical spaces to emotional states and abstract qualities.
A Low Point
Story
A Low Point
It was a chilly autumn evening when Clara sat by the window, staring out at the darkened street. Her mood was as low as the sky, thick with clouds threatening rain. She had received disappointing news earlier that day, and nothing seemed to lift her spirits. 'I just feel so... low,' she thought, letting out a sigh. 'Like there’s no energy left in me.' Her brother, Max, knocked on the door and poked his head in. 'Are you okay? You seem pretty low today.' He was a younger guy, full of energy and optimism. Clara didn’t know how he managed to stay upbeat all the time, especially when things weren’t going well. 'Yeah, just tired,' Clara replied, forcing a smile. She had been working long hours at the office, and now the low turnout at her presentation had made everything feel worse. Max gave her a sympathetic look. 'Sometimes it feels like everything is just... low. Like you’re at the bottom, right? But you know what? You can’t stay there forever.' Clara appreciated his words, but she wasn’t sure. She felt stuck, like a plane flying at a dangerously low altitude with no clear way to climb higher. Max, sensing his sister’s hesitation, asked, 'How about we go grab some coffee? I know a place that’s cozy and low-key. Might help clear your mind.' Clara thought about it for a moment. Maybe a change of scenery could help, and Max always had a way of making things feel a little lighter. 'Okay, let’s do it,' she said, finally standing up. 'Maybe you're right. A little break could help.' As they walked to the coffee shop, Clara noticed how the city looked so different at night—the lights casting long shadows, and everything seeming smaller from this low point in the street. But she couldn’t help but notice that even in the low places, there was still beauty. By the time they got their drinks and sat down, Clara’s mood had lifted, just a little. It wasn’t a huge shift, but for the first time all day, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe being low wasn’t a permanent state, after all. The next morning, Clara woke up to find the rain had stopped, and the sun was peeking through the clouds. She smiled, feeling a little lighter. It was a small change, but it was enough. Max was right—sometimes you just needed to make it through the low points to reach something better.
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