lowly
lowly — adjective
- lowlypositive
- lowliercomparative
- lowliestsuperlative
1. having a low social rank, an unimportant job, or humble origins — used especiall
having a low social rank, an unimportant job, or humble origins — used especially of people whose position is looked down upon by others.
The old gardener lived a lowly life, but the children adored his stories.
Baraka started as a lowly assistant at the bakery before becoming the head baker.
collocation: lowly + job title (assistant / clerk / worker)
Despite her lowly beginnings on a small farm, Saira became a respected surgeon.
The lowly intern solved a problem that had puzzled the senior engineers for weeks.
文法句型
lowly + noun (job title / rank)
用法筆記
Usually placed before a noun that names a job or role. Unlike 'humble', 'lowly' often carries a sense of being undervalued by others rather than a self-chosen modesty.
常見錯誤
lowly — adverb
1. in a quiet voice or with very little sound, so as not to attract attention or di
in a quiet voice or with very little sound, so as not to attract attention or disturb others.
The children spoke lowly so as not to wake the baby.
lowly + verb of speaking (spoke / whispered / sang)
Heather sang lowly to herself while she weeded the garden.
The two friends laughed lowly in the back of the library.
The nurse spoke lowly so the patient would not be startled.
- loudly
direct opposite in terms of volume
用法筆記
This sense is old-fashioned in modern English; speakers today are far more likely to use 'quietly' or 'softly' instead.
常見錯誤
2. in a way that shows you do not think you are better or more important than other
in a way that shows you do not think you are better or more important than others, often by bowing or lowering yourself physically.
The servant bowed lowly before the emperor and waited for his command.
collocation: bow lowly / kneel lowly
Renata accepted the criticism humbly, without making a single excuse.
Minh knelt lowly before the altar and prayed in silence.
The old woman spoke lowly to the prince, with her eyes fixed on the ground.
- proudly
direct opposite; showing self-importance
- arrogantly
carries a stronger negative tone of superiority
用法筆記
Old-fashioned in everyday speech. In modern English, 'humbly' is the preferred adverb for describing meek or self-effacing behaviour.
3. in or to a position that is physically close to the ground or floor, at a low el
in or to a position that is physically close to the ground or floor, at a low elevation.
The hawk circled lowly over the field, watching for field mice in the grass.
lowly + verb of position (circled / hung / crouched / sat)
Fog lay lowly in the river valley, hiding the opposite bank from view.
The old cat crouched lowly beneath the table, watching a moth flutter past.
The children sat lowly on the floor, building a tall tower of wooden blocks.
- low
the standard modern adverb for physical position; 'lowly' is formal and dated
- high
at a great elevation; opposite end of the height scale
用法筆記
Distinguish from adverb/2 (HUMBLE MANNER): this sense describes only physical position near the ground, not an attitude of humility expressed through bowing or kneeling. As a positional adverb, 'lowly' is rare in modern English; the simple adverb 'low' is more common (e.g. 'circled low', 'hung low', 'sat low').