lowly

[ loh-lee ]
See synonyms for: lowlylowliness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,low·li·er, low·li·est.
  1. humble in station, condition, or nature: a lowly cottage.

  2. low in growth or position.

  1. humble in attitude, behavior, or spirit; meek.

adverb
  1. in a low position, manner, or degree: a lowly placed shelf.

  2. in a lowly manner; humbly.

  1. in a quiet voice; softly: to converse lowly.

Origin of lowly

1
A Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at low1, -ly

Other words for lowly

Other words from lowly

  • low·li·ly, adverb
  • low·li·ness, noun
  • un·low·ly, adjective

Words that may be confused with lowly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use lowly in a sentence

  • Love lifts us up thither, and Thy good Spirit lifts up our lowliness from the gates of death.

  • Nothing but extreme lowliness can well reply, or would probably be suffered to reply, to this Hindu profession of reverence.

    Ceres' Runaway | Alice Meynell
  • Shown by its greatness—loved to the uttermost; its comprehensiveness—including even Judas; its lowliness—doing a servant's work.

    The Quiver 3/1900 | Anonymous
  • Humility and lowliness is an important element conducive to "unity of conduct."

British Dictionary definitions for lowly

lowly

/ (ˈləʊlɪ) rare /


adjective-lier or -liest
  1. humble or low in position, rank, status, etc

  2. full of humility; meek

  1. simple, unpretentious, or plain

adverb
  1. in a low or lowly manner

Derived forms of lowly

  • lowliness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012