# Lowe

/ˈɫoʊ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lowe
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to let something go

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · British English

to leave something alone, forget about it, or stop worrying about it.

For teachers: to 'allow' or permit a situation to pass without further interference; frequently used as an imperative to mean 'leave it' or 'forget it'.

- I know he was rude, but just lowe it and move on.
- When the argument started to escalate over something trivial, he decided to just lowe it rather than risk a physical confrontation.

Usage: Commonly used in the imperative phrase 'lowe it'.

Teaching tip: This is a hallmark of Multicultural London English (MLE); students should be aware it is highly informal and specific to certain urban dialects.

### 2. a flame

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Dialect

a flame or a bright light from a fire.

For teachers: a flame, blaze, or the light emitted by a fire. The term is primarily found in older literature or specific regional dialects.

- The lowe of the campfire was the only light in the dark woods.
- The poet described the flickering lowe of the candle as it struggled against the draft from the open window.

Usage: Usually functions as a countable noun.

Teaching tip: This sense is extremely rare in modern standard English and is mostly encountered in historical texts or Northern English/Scots dialects.

## Examples

- The village sits on a lowe overlooking the valley.
- Harelowe is a quiet hamper built on the side of a steep lowe.
- The ancient boundary stones mark the ridge of the lowe, separating the two parishes that have disputed the land for centuries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.