low-grade

[ loh-greyd ]

adjective

1. of an inferior quality, worth, value, etc.:

   The mine yields low-grade silver ore.

Word History and Origins

Origin of low-grade¹

First recorded in 1875–80; low ¹ + grade

Example Sentences

The mum-of-two said it was after she passed blood that she was sent for tests that found she had a "low-grade" neuroendocrine tumour in her digestive system.

From BBC

After a day in the garden, my arms usually are crisscrossed with scratches, sunburn, a few punctures from thorns and more often than not, a low-grade rash.

From Los Angeles Times

Thanks to the deadpan chops of the cast, the low-grade silliness is funny enough to offset the occasional feeling that a shorter, tighter version built around its biggest laughs might have been more effective.

From Los Angeles Times

The mRNA vaccines are somewhat more likely than Novavax or other protein-based vaccines to cause side effects such as a swollen arm and low-grade fever, according to Hudson.

From Los Angeles Times

The family were told that the tumour was called a low-grade glioma and was non-cancerous.

From BBC

Related Words

• substandard