Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Of low social rank or status; humble in position or origin: Describing someone or something that is not high in social hierarchy, importance, or prestige.
   • Modest and unpretentious; not grand or showy: Describing something simple, plain, or lacking in pride or arrogance.
   • Low in position, degree, or amount: Describing something that is situated near the bottom, is of a small degree, or is inferior in quality.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • He rose from a lowly position as a clerk to become the company's CEO. (He advanced from a humble job as a clerk.)
  • The lowly cottage stood in stark contrast to the grand palace. (The modest cottage was very different from the grand palace.)
  • She performed the lowly task of cleaning the floors without complaint. (She did the unskilled, menial job of cleaning the floors.)

Advanced Usage

• "lowly born": Having a humble or common origin.
  • Despite being lowly born, he achieved great fame through his talent.
• "in my lowly opinion": A humble or modest way to preface one's own viewpoint (often used with self-deprecating humor).
  • In my lowly opinion, the plan needs more work.

Variants and Related Words

• Low (adj): Of less than average height; situated not far above the ground; below average in amount, extent, or intensity.
• Lowliness (n): The state or quality of being lowly; humility or humbleness.
  • He accepted the award with great lowliness.

Synonyms

• Humble: Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance; of low social, administrative, or political rank.
• Modest: Unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements; not large, elaborate, or expensive.
• Menial: (Of work) not requiring much skill and lacking prestige; (of a servant) domestic.
• Subordinate: Lower in rank or position.

Antonyms

• Noble: Belonging to a hereditary class with high social or political status; having fine personal qualities.
• Exalted: Placed at a high or powerful level; held in high regard.
• Grand: Magnificent and imposing in appearance, size, or style.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• From lowly beginnings: Starting from a humble or insignificant position.
  • The billionaire's story of success from lowly beginnings inspired many.
• The lowly and the great: A phrase encompassing all people, from the most humble to the most important.
  • The festival was a celebration for the lowly and the great alike.

Adjective

1. of low birth or station (`base' is archaic in this sense)
   • baseborn wretches with dirty faces
   • of humble (or lowly) birth
2. used of unskilled work (especially domestic work)
3. inferior in rank or status
   • the junior faculty
   • a lowly corporal
   • petty officialdom
   • a subordinate functionary
4. low or inferior in station or quality
   • a humble cottage
   • a lowly parish priest
   • a modest man of the people
   • small beginnings