inferior

[ in-feer-ee-er ]

adjective

1. lower in station, rank, degree, or grade (often followed by to ):

   a rank inferior to colonel.

2. lower in place or position; closer to the bottom or base:

   descending into the inferior regions of the earth.

3. of comparatively low grade; poor in quality; substandard:

   an inferior product.

   Synonyms: second-rate, low-quality, mediocre

4. less important, valuable, or worthy:

   B+ bonds are inferior to AAA bonds.

5. acting or performing in a way that is comparatively poor or mediocre:

   an inferior observer of human nature.

6. Botany.
   1. situated below some other organ.
   2. (of a calyx) inserted below the ovary.
   3. (of an ovary) having a superior calyx.
7. Anatomy. (of an organ or part)
   1. lower in place or position; situated beneath another.
   2. toward the feet. Compare superior ( def 9 ).
8. Astronomy. lying below the horizon:

   the inferior part of a meridian.

9. Printing. written or printed low on a line of text, as the “2” in H 2 O; subscript. Compare superior ( def 10 ).

noun

1. a person inferior to another or others, as in rank or merit.
2. Also called subscript. Printing. a letter, number, or symbol written or printed low on a line of text. Compare superior ( def 12 ).

inferior

/ ɪnˈfɪərɪə; ɪnˌfɪərɪˈɒrɪtɪ /

adjective

1. lower in value or quality
2. lower in rank, position, or status; subordinate
3. not of the best; mediocre; commonplace
4. lower in position; situated beneath
5. (of a plant ovary) enclosed by and fused with the receptacle so that it is situated below the other floral parts
6. astronomy
   1. orbiting or occurring between the sun and the earth

      an inferior planet

      inferior conjunction

   2. lying below the horizon
7. printing (of a character) printed at the foot of an ordinary character, as the 2 in H 2 O

noun

1. an inferior person
2. printing an inferior character

Derived Forms

• inˈferiorly, adverb
• inferiority, noun

Other Words From

• in·fe·ri·or·i·ty [in-feer-ee-, awr, -i-tee, -, or, -], noun
• in·fe·ri·or·ly adverb
• qua·si-in·fe·ri·or adjective
• sub·in·fe·ri·or adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inferior¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin, equivalent to infer(us) “lower” ( under ) + -ior comparative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of inferior¹

C15: from Latin: lower, from inferus low

Example Sentences

Some were blatantly inferior, he said, at times with metal shavings and burrs in the threads.

From The Daily Beast

Think about this: music is the only branch of the entertainment world to embrace progressively inferior technologies.

From The Daily Beast

While it came with multiple different preset control styles, it was still an inferior system.

From The Daily Beast

People listen to it on tinny cellphone speakers that are entirely inferior to what they had in lo-tech times of yore.

From The Daily Beast

Adderall is an inferior drug, asserts Hart, because of its side effects.

From The Daily Beast

Then we are again overgrown boys, beings of inferior race and incapable of being civilized.

From Project Gutenberg

But closely allied to this subject, and not inferior to it in importance, stands that of Industrial Training.

From Project Gutenberg

Dearer than the cigarritos are the cigars, which are not inferior to the best Havanna.

From Project Gutenberg

He is thought to be little inferior to Racine in the merit of his dramatic compositions.

From Project Gutenberg

But, glad as was the schemer, his delight and sense of freedom were much inferior to those of his misguided and unlucky partner.

From Project Gutenberg