Lowered
/ˈloʊ.ərd/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo move something to a lower position or level.
/ˈloʊ.ərd/
To move something down to a lower position.
The ship lowered its sails as it approached the harbor.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're holding a box and you put it down. That's lowering something. You can also lower the volume on your phone, like a sneaky way to change your grade.
👶 For kids: To move something down, like letting down a kite or putting a toy car on the floor.
More Examples
She lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze.
He carefully lowered the package to the ground.
The price of the product was lowered due to the sale.
How It's Used
"The crane lowered the heavy steel beam into place."
"The pilot lowered the landing gear."
"He lowered his voice to a whisper."
To decrease something, such as a price or an amount.
/ˈloʊ.ərd/
To reduce in level or amount.
The company lowered its production costs.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to get a lower score in a game. You 'lower' your score by doing less. Or, when a store has a sale, it lowers the prices to tempt shoppers to buy things.
👶 For kids: To make something smaller or less, like making the volume of a toy quieter or the price of a candy cheaper.
More Examples
The government lowered the speed limit on that road.
The judge lowered the sentence after considering his good behavior.
The company lowered their carbon emissions through investments in renewable energy.
How It's Used
"The central bank lowered interest rates."
"The store lowered its prices for the clearance sale."
"They lowered their expectations."
To diminish someone or something, often morally or in quality.
/ˈloʊ.ərd/
To make someone or something less.
He was accused of lowering the company's ethical standards.
💡 Simply: Sometimes we say that someone 'lowers' themself to someone else's level. This means they are acting in a way that isn't up to their usual standards.
👶 For kids: To make someone seem not as good as they should be, or to make them or something not as good as it could be.
More Examples
She refused to lower herself to his level of rudeness.
The scandal had lowered the reputation of the sports team.
He lowered his demands in order to find a compromise.
How It's Used
"She lowered herself to his level."
"His comments lowered her self-esteem."
"He lowered his expectations."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
lower one's voice
To speak more quietly or in a whisper.
"She lowered her voice so the children wouldn't hear."
lower the boom
To punish, reprimand, or take action against someone.
"If they don't meet the deadline, the manager will lower the boom."
lower the bar
To reduce the standard or expectation.
"The company lowered the bar to increase sales."
From Middle English louren, derived from Old English *lūrian* (to stare, scowl), related to Dutch loeren (to lurk) and German lauern (to lie in wait). The sense of 'to make lower' developed later.
The verb 'lower' has been used since the 14th century, initially in the sense of 'to frown' or 'look threatening'. The meaning related to decreasing level or position is a later development.
Memory tip
Think of lowering a flag or lowering the volume on a radio.
Word Origin
"To stare, scowl. Related to the action of moving something down."