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inferior
[ in-feer-ee-er ]
adjective
- lower in station, rank, degree, or grade (often followed by to ):
a rank inferior to colonel.
- lower in place or position; closer to the bottom or base:
descending into the inferior regions of the earth.
- of comparatively low grade; poor in quality; substandard:
an inferior product.
Synonyms: second-rate, low-quality, mediocre
- less important, valuable, or worthy:
B+ bonds are inferior to AAA bonds.
- acting or performing in a way that is comparatively poor or mediocre:
an inferior observer of human nature.
- Botany.
- situated below some other organ.
- (of a calyx) inserted below the ovary.
- (of an ovary) having a superior calyx.
- Anatomy. (of an organ or part)
- lower in place or position; situated beneath another.
- toward the feet. Compare superior ( def 9 ).
- Astronomy. lying below the horizon:
the inferior part of a meridian.
- Printing. written or printed low on a line of text, as the “2” in H 2 O; subscript. Compare superior ( def 10 ).
noun
- a person inferior to another or others, as in rank or merit.
- 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
- lower in value or quality
- lower in rank, position, or status; subordinate
- not of the best; mediocre; commonplace
- lower in position; situated beneath
- (of a plant ovary) enclosed by and fused with the receptacle so that it is situated below the other floral parts
- astronomy
- orbiting or occurring between the sun and the earth
an inferior planet
inferior conjunction
- lying below the horizon
- printing (of a character) printed at the foot of an ordinary character, as the 2 in H 2 O
noun
- an inferior person
- 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
Word History and Origins
Origin of inferior1
Example Sentences
Given the present circumstances, who wouldn’t want to escape into a universe where women could leave their inferior situation and join the Bene Gesserit, “a new family made up of women unafraid of their power”?
Mike Tyson says opponent Jake Paul is an "inferior" fighter before their heavyweight bout in Dallas, Texas.
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.
He’s even suggested that nonwhite immigrants have ‘bad genes’ that make them genetically inferior.”
The Dodgers will not only advance to the World Series beginning next week, but they also should be heavy favorites to win it against either the inferior New York Yankees or outmanned Cleveland Guardians.
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More About Inferior
What does inferior mean?
Inferior most commonly means lesser or lower in quality or worth.
Inferior is commonly applied to things that are considered not as good as other similar things, especially products. However, inferior is also used to describe how some people are treated as lesser than others. In both cases, it is the opposite of superior, meaning better. Inferior is also used in more specific ways in sciences like anatomy, botany, and astronomy to describe a low position.
Example: The new, more expensive model is inferior to the old model in every way—even the packaging is not as good.
Where does inferior come from?
The first records of inferior come from the 1400s. It derives from the Latin inferus, meaning “low.” The suffix -ior is used to form comparative adjectives (as in ulterior and junior).
The specific meaning of inferior often depends on what it’s applied to. If a product is inferior to another one, it means it’s not as good. If a device has inferior battery life, it means its battery doesn’t last as long as other devices. If a team is said to have inferior talent, it means it has less talent than other teams. If a soldier’s rank is inferior to another soldier, it means it is lower.
When inferior is applied to people, especially classes or groups of people, it is being used in an offensive way. When people treat other people as inferior, it means they are judging them on some aspect of their identity that they consider lesser than their own. Racists treat people as inferior based on the color of their skin—and consider themselves superior.
When used in a scientific context, inferior often has a specific meaning related to the position of something. In anatomy, inferior is used to describe a body part that is located in a lower position or, even more specifically, toward the feet. In botany, it is used in much the same way, except of course that it refers to plant parts. In astronomy, describing something as inferior indicates that it is below the horizon.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to inferior?
- inferiority (noun)
- inferiorly (adjective)
- quasi-inferior (adjective)
- subinferior (adjective)
What are some synonyms for inferior?
What are some words that share a root or word element with inferior?
What are some words that often get used in discussing inferior?
How is inferior used in real life?
Inferior is commonly used in the comparison of two things to state that one of them is of lower quality than the other, such as by customers unhappy with their purchases. It is also used to describe how certain groups are treated as lesser than others.
Green apples are inferior to red apples
— Trev Exotic (@trevorwschnell) March 7, 2020
The Walking Dead is so inferior to Game Of Thrones
— garrett (@Maplestree16) September 1, 2017
In Nazi Germany, Jews felt the effects of more than 400 decrees that restricted all aspects of their public and private lives. Even from their earliest moments of life, Jews were labeled and treated as inferior by the Nazi regime. On the park bench is a J for Jew. #AskWhy pic.twitter.com/5o4grTh4ie
— US Holocaust Museum (@HolocaustMuseum) February 8, 2018
Try using inferior!
Is inferior used correctly in the following sentence?
If we keep releasing inferior products that aren’t up to our normal standards, our customers are going to notice.
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