English Reference
Noun

nadir

n.
C2 Proficiency US /ˈneɪdɝ/ UK /nˈædiə/ nadir UK spelling nadirs Astronomy

n.the lowest point in the sky that a star or planet reaches. It is the opposite of the highest point, called the zenith.

n.the lowest point in the sky reached by a celestial body, specifically the point where it is farthest from the zenith. Often used in astronomical contexts to describe the position of a star or planet relative to an observer.


SIMPLE

The star reached its nadir just before midnight.

CONTEXTUAL

As the planet moved toward its nadir, the light from its surface became much dimmer and harder to observe.

COMPLEX

The astronomer noted that the comet's trajectory would bring it to its nadir within the next hour, providing a unique opportunity for high-resolution imaging of its tail.

I wanted a panacea, instead I have ended up in this nadir of algorithms.

The Guardian· 28 Aug 2026

From Medieval Latin nadir, from Arabic نَظِير السَّمْت (naẓīr as-samt), composed of نَظِير (naẓīr, “counterpart, corresponding to”) and السَّمْت (as-samt, “the zenith”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Arabic نَظِير السَّمْت
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Occasional
Updated