lowball

American  

[loh-bawl] / ˈloʊˌbɔl /

noun

1. Cards. a game of draw poker in which the player having the lowest-ranking hand wins the pot.

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verb (used with object)

1. to deliberately estimate a lower price for (a service or merchandise) than one intends to charge.

   to lowball the cost of a move.

2. to give a false estimate or bid for.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in lowballing.

adjective

1. engaged in or characteristic of lowballing.

   a lowball bid.

lowball British  

/ ˈləʊˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a game of poker in which the player with the lowest hand wins

2. 1. a very low estimate or offer

   2. ( as modifier )

      a lowball bid

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verb

1. (tr) to make a very low estimate or offer for (a service, product, company, etc)

Etymology

Origin of lowball

low ¹ + ball ¹

Explanation

When you lowball someone, you attempt to buy something from them by offering a lot less money than it's actually worth. If you want to buy a car that you can't quite afford, you might decide to lowball. Whether you estimate something's value, make an offer to buy something, or try to hire a worker for a very small salary, you lowball. The word works as an adjective too: "He was selling fancy lemonade for two dollars a cup, but I made him a lowball offer, since I only had a quarter in my pocket." This informal slang word was coined in the US, from a railroad term.

Example Sentences

But even those lowball official projections may not be low enough, writes Stephen Brown, deputy chief North America economist at Capital Economics.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

So when applicants lowball, they may end up pricing themselves well below what the company actually budgeted to pay.

From Slate • Jan. 20, 2026

Redfin says many investors are making lowball offers for the lots, with plans to flip the land into new homes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 31, 2025

Davis said that for the last three months, State Farm has “delayed, stonewalled and denied us the help that we’re entitled to,” deploying one inexperienced adjuster after another to lowball her property value.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2025

The masses are eager to see their favorite starlet shine bright again, and it’s time to pursue a project that isn’t tailor-made for Jimmy Fallon’s lowball questions and dated references.

From Salon • Dec. 3, 2024