Word
inferiority
Phoneticsin·fe·ri·or·i·ty, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌɪnfɪɹiˈɔɹɪˌti/
UK/ɪnfˌiəɹɪˈɒɹɪti/
Definition
n. a feeling that you are not as good as other people. It can also describe a situation where one thing is of lower quality than another.
n. a state or condition of being of lower quality, rank, or value than another. Often refers to a psychological state of feeling less capable or less worthy than others.
Examples
“He felt a deep sense of inferiority after losing the competition.”
“The company's new product is technically inferior to its competitor's, but it is much cheaper for the average consumer.”
“The psychological concept of inferiority often manifests in a person's belief that they are fundamentally flawed or unworthy of success, regardless of their actual achievements.”
Examples
simple
“He felt a deep sense of inferiority after losing the competition.”
contextual
“The company's new product is technically inferior to its competitor's, but it is much cheaper for the average consumer.”
complex
“The psychological concept of inferiority often manifests in a person's belief that they are fundamentally flawed or unworthy of success, regardless of their actual achievements.”
Real-World Examples
“Feelings of inferiority had haunted him since childhood, when his father was imprisoned for debt, and ever after Dickens (understandably) worried about money.” “My work shows how the growing association between alligators and Black bodies was part of this larger campaign to reinforce notions of Black inferiority.” Etymology
Morphologically inferior + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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