nadir

American  

[ney-der, ney-deer] / ˈneɪ dər, ˈneɪ dɪər /

noun

1. Astronomy. the point on the celestial sphere directly beneath a given position or observer and diametrically opposite the zenith.

2. Astrology. the point of a horoscope opposite the midheaven: the cusp of the fourth house.

3. the lowest point; point of greatest adversity or despair.

   Synonyms:

   foot, floor, bottom

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nadir British  

/ ˈneɪdɪə, ˈnæ- /

noun

1. the point on the celestial sphere directly below an observer and diametrically opposite the zenith

2. the lowest or deepest point; depths

   the nadir of despair

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nadir Scientific  

/ nā′dər /

1. The point on the celestial sphere that is directly below the observer (90 degrees below the celestial horizon).

2. Compare zenith

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Other Word Forms

• nadiral adjective

Etymology

Origin of nadir

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English nadir, nader, nadair, from Middle French nadir “point opposite the zenith,” from Medieval Latin nadir “point opposite the sun,” from Arabic naẓīr (as-samt) “opposite (the zenith)”; zenith ( def. )

Explanation

If a highly forgetful person loses his phone, his wallet, and then his car keys in separate instances all in one day, you could say that he has reached an organizational nadir. This means “lowest point.” This was originally strictly an astronomical term and is the opposite of the word zenith, which is the part of the sky located directly above a person’s head or, “high point.” In fact, nadir is derived from the Arabic nazir, which means “opposite to.” It is still used in astronomy to indicate the part of the celestial sphere located directly below an observer, but also more generally to describe the worst point of someone’s life or career.

Example Sentences

For investors hoping that this year’s stock-market pullback has already reached its nadir, BTIG’s Jonathan Krinsky has some bad news.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

“Labyrinth” landed during a creative nadir for Bowie, one he described to TV host Jonathan Ross in 2002 as “his Phil Collins years.”

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2026

The nadir came in 2023, as the defense finished 121st in the nation in points allowed and 119th in yards allowed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

Instead, the tumultuous start to Nancy's reign as Celtic manager slipped to an early nadir.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

Agent Jones had lived through a lot in his years with the agency, but tonight marked the absolute nadir.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Related Words

• rock bottom