inferior
gb/ɪnfˈɪɹiɚ/ us/ɪnfˈɪɹiɚ/
B1
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Of lower quality or rank
Not as good as something else in quality, value, or importance.
Usage pattern:
[something] is inferior to [something else]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'inferior' with 'inside' or 'internal' because of similar prefixes, but 'inferior' means 'less good'.
Synonyms
substandard (Emphasizes that something does not meet normal or acceptable standards.)
|
lesser (Highlights being smaller in degree or importance, often in a comparative sense.)
Antonyms
superior (Indicates higher quality, status, or value in comparison.)
Collocations
inferior product
|inferior quality
|inferior position
|socially inferior
|inferior materials
Themes
evaluation
|comparison
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This fabric is clearly inferior to the one we used last time.
- Many felt the new software was inferior to its predecessor.
- He refused to buy the inferior brand despite the lower price.
- They were treated as socially inferior by the elite group.
Learner examples
- This phone is inferior to my old one.
- The food at this cafe is inferior to the other one.
- My bike is inferior to yours in speed.
- The new shoes are inferior to the old ones.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Person of lower rank/status
Someone who has less power, status, or skill than another person.
Usage pattern:
[someone] treats [someone] as an inferior
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse the noun form with the adjective; 'inferior' as a noun always refers to a person or group.
Synonyms
subordinate (More formal term for someone lower in rank, especially in work or military contexts.)
Antonyms
superior (A person who has a higher rank, status, or authority.)
Collocations
social inferior
|treat as an inferior
|regard as an inferior
Themes
social relations
|hierarchy
|work
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He treated his assistants as inferiors, never listening to their ideas.
- In that society, women were considered inferiors to men.
- The manager respected his team and never made them feel like inferiors.
Learner examples
- He talks to me like I am an inferior.
- They see her as an inferior because she is young.
- I do not think of him as an inferior.
adjective
technical
C1
relation
3
Situated lower in position
Located below something else in position or place.
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use this meaning in everyday conversation; it is mainly used in scientific or technical contexts.
Synonyms
lower (General term for being beneath in position.)
Antonyms
superior (Located above another part or point.)
Collocations
inferior vena cava
|inferior surface
|inferior position
Themes
science
|geography
|body
|space
Examples
- The stomach is located inferior to the diaphragm.
- On the map, the island lies inferior to the mainland peninsula.
- In anatomy, the mouth is inferior to the nose.
Learner examples
- The foot is inferior to the knee.
- The city is inferior to the mountain on the map.
- My office is on the floor inferior to yours.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inferior
IPA
GB/ɪnfˈɪɹiɚ/
US/ɪnfˈɪɹiɚ/
Syllables & stress
in - feri - or (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (feri)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: inferior
Noun
- Base: inferior
- Plural: inferiors
Word family
Forms
inferiors
noun
Core family
inferiority
noun
Related words
inferiorly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
superior
adjective B1
superiority
noun B2
Expressions
feel inferior to
1/fˈil ɪnfˈɪɹiɚ tə/
fixed phrase
Have less self-worth than someone
To think you are not as good as someone else.
Examples
- She often feels inferior to her older sister.
- He felt inferior to his colleagues because of his lack of experience.
inferior goods
1/ɪnfˈɪɹiɚ ɡˈʊdz/
fixed phrase
technical
Economics: goods with demand rising when income falls
In economics, products that people buy more of when they have less money.
Examples
- Instant noodles are often considered inferior goods because people buy more when money is tight.
- Public transport can be an inferior good if people switch to cars when they earn more.