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

The drafters of the amendment wanted to consign Dred Scott to the dustbin of history—not only by abolishing slavery, but also by compelling the government to forever recognize the equal citizenship of all people born in the U.S., so that no caste of “inferior” people could ever again be established.

From Slate

Throw a dart anywhere on a world map and she’s there, or has been there, leading nations and governments that Americans often label as inferior or intolerant.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s not like,” Cronin said of his practices, “you’re just playing against a guy who’s inferior to you.”

From Los Angeles Times

To suggest that a Black person is lazy is a very old white racist stereotype that has its origins in white on Black chattel slavery and the American apartheid system that deemed Black people as incapable of full citizenship, “natural” slaves, childlike and members of a subordinate and inferior group that was unfit for freedom.

From Salon

The motion goes into the weeds of the Constitution’s appointments clause, which says that Congress can give the president, courts of the law, or heads of departments the authority to appoint inferior officers.

From Slate