Lower vs. Below: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
Lower refers to a reduction in position, intensity, or value; below indicates a position underneath or less than a reference point.
Key Differences
Lower typically conveys the action of decreasing something in position, rank, or intensity. Below is used to express a position or status that is under another specified level.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
In spatial context, lower implies moving something down from its current position. Below is used to indicate that something is underneath or at a lesser height than something else.
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Dec 26, 2023
In terms of hierarchy or status, lower can mean reducing the level or rank of something. Below suggests that something already exists at a lesser rank or level.
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Dec 26, 2023
Lower often carries an active connotation of reducing or diminishing. In contrast, below passively describes a position or status that is already under or less than another.
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Dec 26, 2023
When it comes to measurements or quantities, lower implies decreasing the amount or value. Below, on the other hand, is used to signify that something is less than a certain point or standard.
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Dec 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Spatial Relation
Indicates a movement downwards
Signifies a static position under something
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Dec 26, 2023
Hierarchy
Used to describe a decrease in rank
Implies a pre-existing lower status
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Dec 26, 2023
Action vs. State
Often denotes an action of reducing
Describes a state of being underneath
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Dec 26, 2023
Measurements
Used when reducing quantity or value
Indicates lesser than a certain point
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Dec 26, 2023
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Lower and Below Definitions
Lower
To bring down to a smaller value or amount.
The store decided to lower the prices after the holiday season.
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Dec 26, 2023
Lower
To degrade or diminish in rank or esteem.
His behavior lowered his status among his peers.
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Dec 26, 2023
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Below
Inferior to or lower than in quality or standard.
The product's quality was below our expectations.
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Dec 26, 2023
Lower
To become less; diminish
The temperature has lowered gradually this month.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Near to the ground or the horizon
The low clouds threaten rain. The sun is low.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
Lower in spatial position than.
The treasure is buried two meters below the surface.
The marmalade is on the shelf below the bread.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
Lower than in value, price, rank, concentration, etc.
The temperature is below zero.
Liverpool are below Manchester City in the Premier League.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Close or closer to a reference point
Was low in the offensive zone, near the goal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
(Linguistics) Produced with part or all of the tongue depressed, as a, pronounced (ä), in father. Used of vowels.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of; beneath.
Such petty behavior is below me.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Below an average or a standard
Low wages.
A low level of communication.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
In or to a lower place.
The town is situated on a hillside, with a river running below.
He was pulled below by a sea monster.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Ranked near the beginning of an ascending series or scale
A low number.
A low grade of oil.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
(nautical) On or to a lower deck, especially as relative to the main deck.
The captain went below to inspect the engine.
The landlubbers lying down below
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Relatively small. Used of a cost, price, or other value
A low fee.
A low income.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
Later in the same text.
This point is explained below.
By their execution hereof, the Parties incur a legal obligation to pass consideration under this Loan Contract as is set forth below.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively small number of sound-wave cycles per second.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
Under, or lower in place; beneath not so high; as, below the moon; below the knee.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
Inferior to in rank, excellence, dignity, value, amount, price, etc.; lower in quality.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Violating standards of morality or decency; base
A low stunt to pull. ].
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
Unworthy of; unbefitting; beneath.
They beheld, with a just loathing and disdain, . . . how below all history the persons and their actions were.
Who thinks no fact below his regard.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
In a lower place, with respect to any object; in a lower room; beneath.
Lord Marmion waits below.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Physically situated below a similar or comparable thing
A lower shelf.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
On the earth, as opposed to the heavens.
The fairest child of Jove below.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Lower Geology & Archaeology Relating to or being an earlier or older division of the period named.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
In hell, or the regions of the dead.
What business brought him to the realms below.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
(Biology) Less complex in organization or having traits similar to those of organisms that evolved earlier in the history of life on Earth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
In court or tribunal of inferior jurisdiction; as, at the trial below.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Denoting the larger and usually more representative house of a bicameral legislature.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Situated on lower ground, nearer a coast, or more southerly.
Lower Manhattan
Lower Burgundy
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
(transitive) To let descend by its own weight, as something suspended; to let down
Lower a bucket into a well
To lower a sail of a boat
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
(transitive) To reduce the height of
Lower a fence or wall
Lower a chimney or turret
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Oct 19, 2023
Below
At a lower level or layer than.
The treasure was hidden just below the surface.
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Dec 26, 2023
Below
Less than a specified amount, rate, or norm.
The temperature dropped below freezing last night.
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Dec 26, 2023
Lower
(transitive) To make less elevated
To lower one's ambition, aspirations, or hopes
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
(transitive) To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of
Lower the temperature
Lower one's vitality
Lower distilled liquors
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
(reflexive) (lower oneself) To humble oneself; to do something one considers to be beneath one's dignity.
I could never lower myself enough to buy second-hand clothes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
(transitive) To reduce (something) in value, amount, etc.
Lower the price of goods
Lower the interest rate
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
(intransitive) To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease
The river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
To reduce operations to single machine instructions, as part of compilation of a program.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
To let descend by its own weight, as something suspended; to let down; as, to lower a bucket into a well; to lower a sail or a boat; sometimes, to pull down; as, to lower a flag.
Lowered softly with a threefold cord of loveDown to a silent grave.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
To reduce the height of; as, to lower a fence or wall; to lower a chimney or turret.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
To depress as to direction; as, to lower the aim of a gun; to make less elevated as to object; as, to lower one's ambition, aspirations, or hopes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
To reduce the degree, intensity, strength, etc., of; as, to lower the temperature of anything; to lower one's vitality; to lower distilled liquors.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
To reduce in value, amount, etc.; as, to lower the price of goods, the rate of interest, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease; as, the river lowered as rapidly as it rose.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
To be dark, gloomy, and threatening, as clouds; to be covered with dark and threatening clouds, as the sky; to show threatening signs of approach, as a tempest.
All the clouds that lowered upon our house.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
To frown; to look sullen.
But sullen discontent sat lowering on her face.
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Move something or somebody to a lower position;
Take down the vase from the shelf
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Cause to drop or sink;
The lack of rain had depressed the water level in the reservoir
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
(usually preceded by `no') lower in esteem;
No less a person than the king himself
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
Inferior in rank or status;
The junior faculty
A lowly corporal
Petty officialdom
A subordinate functionary
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Oct 19, 2023
Lower
To reduce in height or position.
She had to lower the shelf to reach the books.
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Dec 26, 2023
Lower
To diminish in intensity or volume.
He lowered his voice during the movie.
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Dec 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does "lower" mean?
"Lower" primarily means to decrease in position, intensity, or value.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is "lower" used as an adjective?
Yes, as an adjective, it describes something of lesser amount or inferior quality, like "lower priority."
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Dec 26, 2023
How is "lower" used in a sentence?
As a verb: "He lowered the basket into the well." As an adjective: "The lower shelves are easier to reach."
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Dec 26, 2023
Can "lower" be a verb?
Yes, it can be a verb, like in "lowering the volume."
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Dec 26, 2023
Can "lower" indicate direction?
Yes, as in "Move the box to a lower shelf."
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Dec 26, 2023
How is "below" different from "under"?
"Below" is more about relative position in a vertical sense, while "under" implies direct coverage or concealment.
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Dec 26, 2023
What is a synonym for "lower" as a verb?
"Decrease" or "reduce" can be synonyms.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is "lower" used in specific fields?
Yes, in many fields like science ("lower pressure") and geography ("Lower Egypt").
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Dec 26, 2023
What does "below" mean?
"Below" is used to denote something at a lower level or degree.
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Dec 26, 2023
Can "below" be used in temperatures?
Yes, like "temperatures below freezing."
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Dec 26, 2023
Can "lower" be a noun?
Rarely, in specific contexts like "jaw" or "The Lower 48" in U.S. geography.
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Dec 26, 2023
Is "below" a preposition?
Yes, it's primarily a preposition, as in "below the surface."
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Dec 26, 2023
Does "lower" have other meanings?
Yes, it can also imply reducing in dignity or intensity, like "lowering oneself."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is "below" used in hierarchical contexts?
Yes, as in "below the manager level."
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Dec 26, 2023
Is "lower" ever used in comparative contexts?
Yes, like "This temperature is lower than yesterday's."
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Dec 26, 2023
Is "below" used in specific phrases?
Yes, like "listed below" or "see below."
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Dec 26, 2023
Can "below" imply inferiority?
Sometimes, in a metaphorical sense, like "below average."
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Dec 26, 2023
Can "below" indicate lesser quantity or degree?
Yes, like "below the required amount."
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Dec 26, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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