lowly Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite low or inferior in station or quality
    small; modest; humble; low.
    • a humble cottage
    • a lowly parish priest
    • a modest man of the people
    • small beginnings
  2. adjective satellite inferior in rank or status
    petty; junior-grade; lower-ranking; subaltern; secondary.
    • the junior faculty
    • a lowly corporal
    • petty officialdom
    • a subordinate functionary
  3. adjective satellite used of unskilled work (especially domestic work)
    humble; menial.
  4. adjective satellite of low birth or station (`base' is archaic in this sense)
    baseborn; base; humble.
    • baseborn wretches with dirty faces
    • of humble (or lowly) birth

WordNet

Low"ly adjective
Etymology
Low, a. + -ly.
Wordforms
comparative Lowlier ; superlative Lowliest
Definitions
  1. Not high; not elevated in place; low. "Lowly lands." Dryden.
  2. Low in rank or social importance.
    One common right the great and lowly claims. Pope.
  3. Not lofty or sublime; humble.
    These rural poems, and their lowly strain. Dryden.
  4. Having a low esteem of one's own worth; humble; meek; free from pride.
    Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart. Matt. xi. 29.
Low"ly adverb
Definitions
  1. In a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly. "Be lowly wise." Milton.
  2. In a low condition; meanly.
    I will show myself highly fed, and lowly taught. Shak.

Webster 1913