# lower

/ˈɫoʊɝ/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. to move something down

verb · CEFR A2

to move something to a lower position or let it down.

For teachers: to move something physically downward or to let something descend by its own weight.

- They had to lower the flag at the end of the day.
- The rescue team carefully lowered the stretcher down the cliff face using a series of reinforced ropes and pulleys.

Usage: Transitive when moving an object; intransitive when a level or surface falls.

### 2. to reduce a level or amount

verb · CEFR B1

to make something less in amount, price, or strength.

For teachers: to reduce the degree, intensity, value, or quantity of something.

- The shop decided to lower its prices to attract more customers.
- The central bank decided to lower interest rates in an attempt to stimulate economic growth during the recession.

### 3. to humble oneself

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to do something that you feel is beneath your dignity or status.

For teachers: to behave in a way that makes people lose respect for you; often used reflexively.

- He refused to lower himself by joining in the office gossip.
- She felt it was beneath her to lower herself to their level by engaging in a public shouting match over such a trivial matter.

Usage: Often used as 'lower oneself to' followed by a gerund or noun.

### 4. code translation

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to change complex computer code into simpler instructions that a machine can understand.

For teachers: to transform high-level source code into a lower-level representation or machine instructions during compilation.

- The compiler will lower the high-level code into assembly language.
- During the optimization phase, the intermediate representation is lowered to target-specific instructions to improve execution speed.

Usage: Used primarily in the context of compiler design and software engineering.

### 5. further down

adjective · CEFR A2

being below something else or towards the bottom.

For teachers: situated beneath another part or towards the bottom of a structure or geographical area.

- The books you want are on the lower shelf.
- The geologist noted significant mineral deposits in the lower strata of the rock formation, suggesting a different volcanic period.

Usage: Comparative form of 'low'.

### 6. in a lower way

adverb · CEFR B1

at or to a lower position or level than before.

For teachers: to a position or level that is less high than another.

- Can you fly the drone a bit lower so I can see the ground?
- The sun sank lower in the sky, casting long, dramatic shadows across the valley floor as evening approached.

Usage: Comparative form of the adverb 'low'.

## Examples

- Please lower the volume of the television.
- The workers used a crane to lower the heavy equipment into the construction site.
- Central banks may choose to lower interest rates to stimulate economic growth during periods of low consumer spending and high unemployment.

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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.