lower
gb/lˈoʊɚ/ us/lˈoʊɚ/
A2
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Reduce height, amount, or intensity
To make something go down or become smaller in number, level, or strength.
Usage pattern:
to lower [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'lower' with 'reduce' in abstract contexts; 'lower' is more common for physical level or direct control actions.
Synonyms
reduce (Common, general term for making something less in amount or size.)
Antonyms
raise (Means to make something higher or greater in amount or level.)
Collocations
lower the price
|lower the volume
|lower expectations
|lower the flag
Themes
daily life
|measurement
|work
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please lower the volume; it's too loud.
- The company decided to lower prices to attract more customers.
- Lower the blinds before the sun gets too strong.
- They lowered the flag to half-mast.
- The doctor advised him to lower his salt intake.
Learner examples
- Please lower the music.
- Lower the chair so I can sit.
- Lower the price for this shirt.
- He lowered his head to look at the floor.
adjective
A2
relation
2
Situated beneath or less important
Being under something else in place or having less power or importance.
Synonyms
bottom (Refers to the base or lowest part of something; not always about rank.)
Antonyms
upper (Means higher in position or rank.)
Collocations
lower level
|lower rank
|lower floor
|lower part
Themes
geography
|organization
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Our office is on the lower floor of the building.
- He works in the lower ranks of management.
- The lower shelves are for children's books.
- The lower part of the mountain is covered in forest.
Learner examples
- We live on the lower floor.
- The lower shelf has books.
- The lower part of the wall is red.
Verb
A2
action
3
Move something downwards
To move something to a lower place.
Usage pattern:
to lower [something] [somewhere]
Synonyms
let down (Informal phrase meaning to move something down, often slowly.)
Antonyms
lift (Means to move something upward physically.)
Collocations
lower a rope
|lower a basket
|lower a boat
Themes
movement
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They lowered the boat into the water.
- Please lower the ladder carefully.
- He lowered his head in shame.
- The workers lowered the heavy box onto the floor.
Learner examples
- Lower the box to the floor.
- He lowered his head.
- They lowered the rope into the well.
adjective
B1
property
4
Smaller in quantity or degree
Less in number, price, size, or level than another thing.
Synonyms
lesser (More formal and less common; means smaller in importance or degree.)
Antonyms
higher (Means greater in amount, value, or degree.)
Collocations
lower cost
|lower risk
|lower temperature
Themes
measurement
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This store offers lower prices than its competitors.
- Lower temperatures are expected tonight.
- He has a lower income than most of his friends.
Learner examples
- This shirt has a lower price.
- Today has a lower temperature than yesterday.
- She has a lower score than him.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lower
IPA
GB/lˈoʊɚ/
US/lˈoʊɚ/
Syllables & stress
lower (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (lower)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: lower
- 3rd Person Singular: lowers
- Present Participle: lowering
- Past: lowered
Word family
Expressions
lower one's guard
1/lˈoʊɚ wˈʌnz ɡˈɑɹd/
idiom
Become less cautious or defensive
To stop being careful and ready to protect yourself from problems or danger.
Examples
- He lowered his guard and was quickly defeated.
- Don't lower your guard when dealing with strangers.
lower oneself to [do something]
1/lˈoʊɚ wˌʌnsˈɛlf tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Do something beneath dignity or status
To do something you think is not good enough for you or is below your position.
Examples
- She refused to lower herself to argue with them.
- I won't lower myself to cheating just to win.
lower the bar
1/lˈoʊɚ ðə bˈɑɹ/
idiom
Reduce standard for success
To make it easier to succeed by having a smaller goal or standard.
Examples
- The school decided to lower the bar for passing grades.
- We don't want to lower the bar just to get more participants.