Word
inferior
Phoneticsin·fe·ri·or, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈfɪɹiɝ/
UK/ɪnfˈiəɹɪɐ/
Definitions
01lower quality
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not as good as something else.
adj. lower in quality, value, or excellence compared to a standard or another item.
“The cheap fabric felt inferior to the high-quality cotton we usually buy.”
“The critics argued that the sequel was vastly inferior to the original film, citing a weak script and uninspired performances.”
Usage
Always used with the preposition 'to' when making a comparison.
Pitfall
This model is inferior than the old one.
This model is inferior to the old one.
The adjective 'inferior' always takes the preposition 'to', never 'than'.
Synonyms
02lower rank
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. having a lower position or status in a group or company.
adj. lower in station, rank, or degree within a hierarchical structure.
“He held an inferior rank in the army for many years before his promotion.”
“The protocol dictated that officers of inferior rank must salute their superiors upon entering the barracks.”
Usage
Often used in military or highly structured corporate contexts.
Synonyms
03physical position
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
adj. located below another part of the body or a structure.
adj. situated under or beneath another part; in anatomy, situated nearer the soles of the feet.
Español:inferior
“The doctor examined the inferior part of the patient's lung.”
“The surgeon carefully identified the inferior vena cava to avoid any accidental damage during the abdominal procedure.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04a subordinate person
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Formal
n. someone who has a lower position or less power than someone else.
n. a person who is lower than another in rank, status, or ability.
“She was always kind and respectful to her inferiors at work.”
“The manager's tendency to belittle his inferiors in front of clients led to a significant drop in office morale.”
Teaching tip
This noun can sound cold or condescending in modern workplaces; 'subordinate' or 'junior staff' is often preferred.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “inferior” in context.
Adjective
01. inferior position
“He felt he was in an inferior position compared to the other managers in the firm.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“They’re not going to be made to feel inferior in any way.” “The real story of pre-Google search is not that early engines were inferior.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin īnferior (“lower in situation or place”), comparative of īnferus (“below, underneath”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/inferior
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0