Lower vs. Lowest — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 21, 2024
"Lower" refers to a comparative degree, indicating something is lesser in degree, value, or importance relative to another, while "lowest" is the superlative form, denoting the least degree, value, or importance among all compared items.
Difference Between Lower and Lowest
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Lower" is used when comparing two elements, aspects, or items, showing that one is less in amount, quality, or degree than the other. For instance, if comparing the heights of two trees, one might say one tree is lower than the other. On the other hand, "lowest" is used when referencing one item among three or more, indicating that it is at the bottom of the ranking, such as identifying the shortest tree in a group.
When discussing prices, "lower" might be used to describe a price that has been reduced compared to a previous figure or another competitor’s price. Whereas, "lowest" refers to the absolute smallest price among a selection of prices, often highlighted in marketing to attract customers looking for the best deal.
In terms of quality, using "lower" suggests a comparison with one other item, indicating a reduction in quality, effectiveness, or preference. In contrast, "lowest" implies that, among several options, the item in question holds the least desirable attributes.
The use of "lower" can often imply a dynamic or changing state, such as lowering standards or reducing levels, which suggests an ongoing process. Conversely, "lowest" often points to a fixed state, such as the lowest point on a graph, indicating a definitive measure or condition.
In educational settings, "lower" could refer to lower grades or achievements compared to a standard or another student’s performance. On the other hand, "lowest" could be used to describe the lowest score achieved in a class, marking the minimum level reached.
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Comparison Chart
Degree
Comparative (between two)
Superlative (among three or more)
Usage Context
Dynamic comparison
Absolute bottom or least
Example
Lower temperature than yesterday
Lowest temperature of the year
Implication
Reduction or decrease
Minimal or bottom level
Common Phrases
Lower your voice
Lowest bidder
Compare with Definitions
Lower
To reduce in position, intensity, or quantity.
Please lower the volume; it’s too loud.
Lowest
Located at the bottom or lowest point.
The lowest step of the ladder is broken.
Lower
Inferior in rank, quality, or status.
The lower ranks in the military have strict compliance rules.
Lowest
Minimum in range or scope.
The temperature reached its lowest point overnight.
Lower
Positioned at a lesser height or depth.
The lower shelves are easier for children to reach.
Lowest
Superlative degree, indicating the least extent, amount, or degree.
Of all the offers, theirs was the lowest.
Lower
Comparative degree, indicating lesser extent, amount, or degree.
She has a lower tolerance for spicy foods than her sister.
Lowest
Worst in quality or rank.
The team's performance this season was the lowest in their history.
Lower
Less advanced in age or experience.
He is in the lower grade at school than his peers.
Lowest
Least favorable or desirable.
She got the lowest score on the final exam.
Lower
To look angry, sullen, or threatening.
Lowest
Having little relative height; not high or tall
A low wall.
Lower
To appear dark or stormy, as the sky.
Lowest
Rising only slightly above surrounding surfaces
A low hill.
Lower
To let, bring, or move down to a lower level.
Lowest
Near to the ground or the horizon
The low clouds threaten rain. The sun is low.
Lower
To reduce in value, degree, or quality.
Lowest
Situated or placed below normal height
A low lighting fixture.
Lower
To weaken; undermine
Lower one's energy.
Lowest
Situated below the surrounding surfaces
Water standing in low spots.
Lower
To reduce in standing or respect.
Lowest
Of less than usual or average depth; shallow
The river is low.
Lower
To move down
Her hand lowered.
Lowest
Cut to show the wearer's neck and chest; décolleté
A low neckline.
Lower
To become less; diminish
The temperature has lowered gradually this month.
Lowest
Close or closer to a reference point
Was low in the offensive zone, near the goal.
Lower
A threatening, sullen, or angry look.
Lowest
(Linguistics) Produced with part or all of the tongue depressed, as a, pronounced (ä), in father. Used of vowels.
Lower
A dark or stormy appearance
The lower of thunderheads.
Lowest
Below average in degree, intensity, or amount
A low temperature.
Lower
Having little relative height; not high or tall
A low wall.
Lowest
Below an average or a standard
Low wages.
A low level of communication.
Lower
Rising only slightly above surrounding surfaces
A low hill.
Lowest
Ranked near the beginning of an ascending series or scale
A low number.
A low grade of oil.
Lower
Near to the ground or the horizon
The low clouds threaten rain. The sun is low.
Lowest
Relating to or being latitudes nearest to the equator.
Lower
Situated or placed below normal height
A low lighting fixture.
Lowest
Relatively small. Used of a cost, price, or other value
A low fee.
A low income.
Lower
Situated below the surrounding surfaces
Water standing in low spots.
Lowest
Not loud; soft
A low murmur.
Lower
Of less than usual or average depth; shallow
The river is low.
Lowest
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively small number of sound-wave cycles per second.
Lower
Cut to show the wearer's neck and chest; décolleté
A low neckline.
Lowest
Below others in status or rank; lowly
Of low birth.
Lower
Close or closer to a reference point
Was low in the offensive zone, near the goal.
Lowest
Violating standards of morality or decency; base
A low stunt to pull. ].
Lower
(Linguistics) Produced with part or all of the tongue depressed, as a, pronounced (ä), in father. Used of vowels.
Lowest
Lowest in rank or importance;
Last prize
In last place
Lower
Below average in degree, intensity, or amount
A low temperature.
Lowest
Minimal in magnitude;
Lowest wages
The least amount of fat allowed
The smallest amount
Lower
Below an average or a standard
Low wages.
A low level of communication.
Lowest
At the bottom; lowest or last;
The bottom price
Lower
Ranked near the beginning of an ascending series or scale
A low number.
A low grade of oil.
Lowest
In the lowest position; nearest the ground;
The branch with the big peaches on it hung lowest
Lower
Relating to or being latitudes nearest to the equator.
Lower
Relatively small. Used of a cost, price, or other value
A low fee.
A low income.
Lower
Not loud; soft
A low murmur.
Lower
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively small number of sound-wave cycles per second.
Lower
Below others in status or rank; lowly
Of low birth.
Lower
Violating standards of morality or decency; base
A low stunt to pull. ].
Lower
Below another in rank, position, or authority.
Lower
Physically situated below a similar or comparable thing
A lower shelf.
Lower
Lower Geology & Archaeology Relating to or being an earlier or older division of the period named.
Lower
(Biology) Less complex in organization or having traits similar to those of organisms that evolved earlier in the history of life on Earth.
Lower
Denoting the larger and usually more representative house of a bicameral legislature.
Lower
Bottom; more towards the bottom than the middle of an object
Lower
Situated on lower ground, nearer a coast, or more southerly.
Lower Manhattan
Lower Burgundy
Lower
Older
Lower
(transitive) To let descend by its own weight, as something suspended; to let down
Lower a bucket into a well
To lower a sail of a boat
Lower
(transitive) to pull down
To lower a flag
Lower
(transitive) To reduce the height of
Lower a fence or wall
Lower a chimney or turret
Lower
(transitive) To depress as to direction
Lower the aim of a gun
Lower
(transitive) To make less elevated
To lower one's ambition, aspirations, or hopes
Lower
(transitive) To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of
Lower the temperature
Lower one's vitality
Lower distilled liquors
Lower
(transitive) To bring down; to humble
Lower one's pride
Lower
(reflexive) (lower oneself) To humble oneself; to do something one considers to be beneath one's dignity.
I could never lower myself enough to buy second-hand clothes.
Lower
(transitive) To reduce (something) in value, amount, etc.
Lower the price of goods
Lower the interest rate
Lower
(intransitive) To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease
The river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
Lower
(intransitive) To decrease in value, amount, etc.
Lower
To reduce operations to single machine instructions, as part of compilation of a program.
Lower
Alternative spelling of lour
Lower
To let descend by its own weight, as something suspended; to let down; as, to lower a bucket into a well; to lower a sail or a boat; sometimes, to pull down; as, to lower a flag.
Lowered softly with a threefold cord of loveDown to a silent grave.
Lower
To reduce the height of; as, to lower a fence or wall; to lower a chimney or turret.
Lower
To depress as to direction; as, to lower the aim of a gun; to make less elevated as to object; as, to lower one's ambition, aspirations, or hopes.
Lower
To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of; as, to lower the temperature of anything; to lower one's vitality; to lower distilled liquors.
Lower
To bring down; to humble; as, to lower one's pride.
Lower
To reduce in value, amount, etc.; as, to lower the price of goods, the rate of interest, etc.
Lower
To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease; as, the river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
Lower
To be dark, gloomy, and threatening, as clouds; to be covered with dark and threatening clouds, as the sky; to show threatening signs of approach, as a tempest.
All the clouds that lowered upon our house.
Lower
To frown; to look sullen.
But sullen discontent sat lowering on her face.
Lower
Cloudiness; gloominess.
Lower
A frowning; sullenness.
Lower
The lower of two berths
Lower
Move something or somebody to a lower position;
Take down the vase from the shelf
Lower
Set lower;
Lower a rating
Lower expectations
Lower
Cause to drop or sink;
The lack of rain had depressed the water level in the reservoir
Lower
Make lower or quieter;
Turn down the volume of a radio
Lower
Look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
Lower
(usually preceded by `no') lower in esteem;
No less a person than the king himself
Lower
Inferior in rank or status;
The junior faculty
A lowly corporal
Petty officialdom
A subordinate functionary
Lower
The bottom one of two;
He chose the lower number
Lower
Of the underworld;
Nether regions
Common Curiosities
When should I use lowest?
Use lowest when comparing three or more items and pointing out the one at the bottom, as in "This was the lowest temperature recorded this winter."
Can lower and lowest be used interchangeably?
No, lower is comparative, used for direct comparisons between two things, whereas lowest is superlative, used when referring to the least among three or more.
What does lowest mean?
Lowest refers to the least amount, degree, or level among a group.
What does lower mean?
Lower means less in degree, intensity, or amount compared to another.
Can lower be a verb?
Yes, "to lower" means to make or become lower in position, intensity, or quantity.
Can lower refer to physical position only?
No, lower can refer to rank, intensity, quality, and other measurable factors.
What is an example of lower used in economics?
"This quarter's earnings are lower than the last," demonstrates a comparison between two periods.
What is the function of lowest in a ranking?
Lowest determines the bottom position in a ranking or scale.
How do I use lower in a sentence?
Use lower when making a direct comparison between two items, such as "This path is lower than the other."
How is lowest used in sports?
"He had the lowest scoring average on the team," highlights the least score among all team members.
What is the opposite of lowest?
The opposite of lowest is highest, which refers to the top or maximum extent in a comparison.
Is there a grammatical difference between lower and lowest?
Yes, lower is a comparative adjective or adverb, and lowest is a superlative adjective or adverb.
Is lowest ever used positively?
It can be, especially in contexts like pricing where having the lowest price might be advantageous.
What is the opposite of lower?
The opposite of lower is higher, used when something is greater in degree, amount, or extent.
How do lower and lowest impact statistical analysis?
Lower can describe trends or comparisons between two data points, whereas lowest is used to identify the minimum value in a dataset.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
