Low vs. Less — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 15, 2024
"Low" describes a state or level that is small in quantity or intensity, while "less" is a comparative term used to indicate a smaller amount or degree in relation to something else.
Difference Between Low and Less
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Low" is an adjective that can describe anything that is near to the ground, minimal in degree, or small in quantity, like low temperature, low prices, or low spirits. On the other hand, "less" functions as an adverb or determiner to compare and indicate that there is a smaller amount of something compared to another, such as less sugar, less time, or less important.
When describing absolute states or conditions, "low" is used, suggesting a state that is inherently small or reduced in scale like a low point in one’s life or low rainfall. Whereas "less" implies a reduction from a previous state or compared to another subject or object eating less food, or less crowded places.
The usage of "low" can be applicable to various contexts, not limited to quantitative measures but also qualitative, like low quality or low spirits. In contrast, "less" is specifically about quantity and degree, often used in contexts requiring a direct comparison, such as less effective or less interesting than something else.
In practical applications, "low" can describe inherent characteristics of objects or conditions, such as low land or low frequency. Conversely, "less" is used in situations where a reduction is noted from a standard or expected measure, like using less salt or spending less money.
"Low" is often used in warnings or advisories to indicate risks or undesirable states, such as low visibility or low battery. "Less," however, is frequently used in advice or suggestions aimed at reduction, like using less plastic to benefit the environment or recommending less screen time for better health.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Adverb, Determiner
Usage
Describes absolute states or conditions.
Indicates a comparative reduction.
Contexts
Quality, intensity, height, spirits.
Quantity, degree, in comparison to another.
Examples
Low prices, low pressure, low spirits.
Less sugar, less important, less crowded.
Functional Role
Describes inherent characteristics.
Suggests a decrease from a norm or another.
Compare with Definitions
Low
Describing something close to the ground or baseline.
He prefers seats in the low rows at concerts.
Less
Often used in the context of minimizing or reducing.
Flying less can help reduce your carbon footprint.
Low
Having little relative height; not high or tall
A low wall.
Less
Can imply inferiority or lower quality in comparison.
His performance this semester was less impressive.
Low
Rising only slightly above surrounding surfaces
A low hill.
Less
Not as great in amount or quantity
Had less time to spend with the family.
Low
Near to the ground or the horizon
The low clouds threaten rain. The sun is low.
Less
Lower in importance, esteem, or rank
No less a person than the ambassador.
Low
Situated or placed below normal height
A low lighting fixture.
Less
Consisting of a smaller number.
Low
Situated below the surrounding surfaces
Water standing in low spots.
Less
With the deduction of; minus
Five less two is three.
Low
Of less than usual or average depth; shallow
The river is low.
Less
To a smaller extent, degree, or frequency
Less happy.
Less expensive.
Low
Cut to show the wearer's neck and chest; décolleté
A low neckline.
Less
A smaller amount
She received less than she asked for.
Low
Close or closer to a reference point
Was low in the offensive zone, near the goal.
Less
Something not as important as something else
People have been punished for less.
Low
(Linguistics) Produced with part or all of the tongue depressed, as a, pronounced (ä), in father. Used of vowels.
Less
Comparative of little
I slept even less last night than I did the night before.
I like him less each time I see him.
Low
Below average in degree, intensity, or amount
A low temperature.
Less
Used for constructing syntactic diminutive comparatives of adjectives and adverbs.
Randal is less welcome than Rachel but as her spouse we should invite them both.
This gadget is less useful than I expected.
I'm not any less happy for being on my own.
Low
Below an average or a standard
Low wages.
A low level of communication.
Less
To a smaller extent or degree.
The grammar book was less than (that is, not at all) helpful.
That this is a positive one makes it no less a stereotype, and therefore unacceptable.
Low
Ranked near the beginning of an ascending series or scale
A low number.
A low grade of oil.
Less
(Now chiefly of numbers or dimensions) little; of inferior size, degree or extent; smaller, lesser.
Low
Relating to or being latitudes nearest to the equator.
Less
A smaller amount of; not as much.
No less than eight pints of beer.
I have less tea than coffee.
You have even less sense than an inanimate object.
Low
Relatively small. Used of a cost, price, or other value
A low fee.
A low income.
Less
Fewer; a smaller number of.
There are less people here now.
Now there are three less green bottles hanging on the wall.
Low
Not loud; soft
A low murmur.
Less
Minus; not including
It should then tax all of that as personal income, less the proportion of the car's annual mileage demonstrably clocked up on company business.
Low
Having a pitch corresponding to a relatively small number of sound-wave cycles per second.
Less
(archaic) To make less; to lessen.
Low
Below others in status or rank; lowly
Of low birth.
Less
(archaic) Lesser; smaller.
Low
Violating standards of morality or decency; base
A low stunt to pull. ].
Less
A smaller amount or quantity.
Less is better.
I have less to do today than yesterday.
Low
The characteristic sound uttered by cattle; a moo.
Less
Unless
Low
To utter the sound made by cattle; moo.
Less
Unless.
Low
Situated close to, or even below, the ground or another normal reference plane; not high or lofty.
Less
Smaller; not so large or great; not so much; shorter; inferior; as, a less quantity or number; a horse of less size or value; in less time than before.
Thus in less [time] than a hundred years from the coming of Augustine, all England became Christian.
Low
Pertaining to (or, especially of a language: spoken in) in an area which is at a lesser elevation, closer to sea level (especially near the sea), than other regions.
The low countries
Low German
Less
Not so much; in a smaller or lower degree; as, less bright or loud; less beautiful.
Low
Below the batter's knees.
The pitch (or: the ball) was low
Less
A smaller portion or quantity.
The children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
Low
Of less than normal height or upward extent or growth, or of greater than normal depth or recession; below the average or normal level from which elevation is measured.
Less
The inferior, younger, or smaller.
The less is blessed of the better.
Low
Low-cut.
Less
To make less; to lessen.
Low
Not high in status, esteem, or rank, dignity, or quality. vulgar.}}
Now that was low even for you!
Less
(comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree;
Of less importance
Less time to spend with the family
A shower uses less water
Less than three years old
Low
Humble, meek, not haughty.
Less
(usually preceded by `no') lower in quality;
No less than perfect
Low
Disparaging; assigning little value or excellence.
She had a low opinion of cats. He took a low view of dogs.
Less
(usually preceded by `no') lower in esteem;
No less a person than the king himself
Low
Being a nadir, a bottom.
The low point in her career
Less
(nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer;
Less than three weeks
No less than 50 people attended
In 25 words or less
Low
Depressed in mood, dejected, sad.
Low spirits
Less
Used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs;
Less interesting
Less expensive
Less quickly
Low
Lacking health or vitality, strength or vivacity; feeble; weak.
A low pulse
Made (or: laid) low by sickness
Less
Comparative of little;
She walks less than she should
He works less these days
Low
Dead. lay low.}}
Less
Used to indicate a smaller amount or lower degree.
She decided to spend less money on clothes.
Low
Small, not high (in amount or quantity, value, force, energy, etc).
My credit union charges a low interest rate.
Jogging during a whiteout, with such low temperatures and low visibility, is dangerous.
The store sold bread at low prices, and milk at even lower prices.
The contractors gave a low estimate of the costs.
Low cholesterol
A low voltage wire
A low number
Less
Comparative, suggesting a reduction from something else.
This recipe uses less salt than the other.
Low
Having a small or comparatively smaller concentration of (a substance, which is often but not always linked by "in" when predicative).
Diets low in vitamin A
Made from low-carbon steel
Less
In fixed expressions like 'less than'.
The job was completed in less than two hours.
Low
Depleted, or nearing deletion; lacking in supply.
Running low on cash
Low
Simple in complexity or development.
Low protozoan animals, low cryptogamic plants, and other low organisms
Low
Favoring simplicity (see e.g. low church, Low Tory).
Low
(in several set phrases) Being near the equator.
The low northern latitudes
Low
(acoustics) Grave in pitch, due to being produced by relatively slow vibrations (wave oscillations); flat.
The note was too low for her to sing.
Generally, European men have lower voices than their Indian counterparts.
Low
Quiet; soft; not loud.
They spoke in low voices so I would not hear what they were saying.
Why would you want to play heavy metal at such a low volume?
Low
(phonetics) Made with a relatively large opening between the tongue and the palate; made with (part of) the tongue positioned low in the mouth, relative to the palate.
Low
(card games) Lesser in value than other cards, denominations, suits, etc.
A low card
Low
Not rich or seasoned; offering the minimum of nutritional requirements; plain, simple.
Low
Designed for a slow (or the slowest) speed.
Low gear
Low
A low point or position, literally (as, a depth) or or figuratively (as, a nadir, a time when things are at their worst, least, minimum, etc).
You have achieved a new low in behavior, Frank.
Economic growth has hit a new low.
Unemployment has reached a ten-year low.
Low
The minimum atmospheric temperature recorded at a particular location, especially during one 24-hour period.
Today's low was 32 °F.
Low
A period of depression; a depressed mood or situation.
He is in a low right now.
The highs and lows of bipolar disorder
Low
An area of low pressure; a depression.
A deep low is centred over the British Isles.
Low
The lowest-speed gearing of a power-transmission system, especially of an automotive vehicle.
Shift out of low before the car gets to eight miles per hour.
Low
(card games) The lowest trump, usually the deuce; the lowest trump dealt or drawn.
Low
A cheap, cost-efficient, or advantageous price.
He got the brand new Yankees jersey for the low.
Low
A flame; fire; blaze.
Low
Barrow, mound, tumulus.
Low
A hill.
Low
Close to the ground.
Low
Of a pitch, at a lower frequency.
Low
With a low voice or sound; not loudly; gently.
To speak low
Low
Under the usual price; at a moderate price; cheaply.
He sold his wheat low.
Low
In a low mean condition; humbly; meanly.
Low
In a time approaching our own.
Low
(astronomy) In a path near the equator, so that the declination is small, or near the horizon, so that the altitude is small; said of the heavenly bodies with reference to the diurnal revolution.
The moon runs low, i.e. comparatively near the horizon when on or near the meridian.
Low
To lower; to make low.
Low
Inflection of laugh.
Low
(intransitive) To moo.
The cattle were lowing.
Low
To burn; to blaze.
Low
To make the calling sound of cows and other bovine animals; to moo.
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea.
Low
To burn; to blaze.
Low
To depress; to lower.
Low
The calling sound ordinarily made by cows and other bovine animals.
Talking voices and the law of herds.
Low
A hill; a mound; a grave.
Low
Fire; a flame; a light.
Low
The lowest trump, usually the deuce; the lowest trump dealt or drawn.
Low
Occupying an inferior position or place; not high or elevated; depressed in comparison with something else; as, low ground; a low flight.
Low
Not rising to the usual height; as, a man of low stature; a low fence.
Low
Near the horizon; as, the sun is low at four o'clock in winter, and six in summer.
Low
Sunk to the farthest ebb of the tide; as, low tide.
Low
Beneath the usual or remunerative rate or amount, or the ordinary value; moderate; cheap; as, the low price of corn; low wages.
Low
Not loud; as, a low voice; a low sound.
Low
Depressed in the scale of sounds; grave; as, a low pitch; a low note.
Low
Made, as a vowel, with a low position of part of the tongue in relation to the palate; as, ă (ăm), ạ (ạll). See Guide to Pronunciation, 5, 10, 11.
Low
Near, or not very distant from, the equator; as, in the low northern latitudes.
Low
Numerically small; as, a low number.
Low
Wanting strength or animation; depressed; dejected; as, low spirits; low in spirits.
Low
Depressed in condition; humble in rank; as, men of low condition; the lower classes.
Why but to keep ye low and ignorant ?
Low
Mean; vulgar; base; dishonorable; as, a person of low mind; a low trick or stratagem.
Low
Not elevated or sublime; not exalted in thought or diction; as, a low comparison.
In comparison of these divine writers, the noblest wits of the heathen world are low and dull.
Low
Submissive; humble.
Low
Deficient in vital energy; feeble; weak; as, a low pulse; made low by sickness.
Low
Moderate; not intense; not inflammatory; as, low heat; a low temperature; a low fever.
Low
Smaller than is reasonable or probable; as, a low estimate.
Low
Not rich, high seasoned, or nourishing; plain; simple; as, a low diet.
Low
In a low position or manner; not aloft; not on high; near the ground.
Low
Under the usual price; at a moderate price; cheaply; as, he sold his wheat low.
Low
In a low or mean condition; humbly; meanly.
Low
In time approaching our own.
In that part of the world which was first inhabited, even as low down as Abraham's time, they wandered with their flocks and herds.
Low
With a low voice or sound; not loudly; gently; as, to speak low.
The . . . odorous windBreathes low between the sunset and the moon.
Low
With a low musical pitch or tone.
Can sing both high and low.
Low
In subjection, poverty, or disgrace; as, to be brought low by oppression, by want, or by vice.
Low
In a path near the equator, so that the declination is small, or near the horizon, so that the altitude is small; - said of the heavenly bodies with reference to the diurnal revolution; as, the moon runs low, that is, is comparatively near the horizon when on or near the meridian.
Low
An air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation;
A low moved in over night bringing sleet and snow
Low
British political cartoonist (born in New Zealand) who created the character Colonel Blimp (1891-1963)
Low
A low level or position or degree;
The stock market fell to a new low
Low
The lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving
Low
Make a low noise, characteristic of bovines
Low
Less than normal in degree or intensity or amount;
Low prices
The reservoire is low
Low
Literal meanings; being at or having a relatively small elevation or upward extension;
Low ceilings
Low clouds
Low hills
The sun is low
Low furniture
A low bow
Low
Very low in volume;
A low murmur
The low-toned murmur of the surf
Low
Unrefined in character;
Low comedy
Low
Used of sounds and voices; low in pitch or frequency
Low
Of the most contemptible kind;
Abject cowardice
A low stunt to pull
A low-down sneak
His miserable treatment of his family
You miserable skunk!
A scummy rabble
A scurvy trick
Low
Low or inferior in station or quality;
A humble cottage
A lowly parish priest
A modest man of the people
Small beginnings
Low
No longer sufficient;
Supplies are low
Our funds are depleted
Low
Subdued or brought low in condition or status;
Brought low
A broken man
His broken spirit
Low
Low in spirits;
Lonely and blue in a strange city
Depressed by the loss of his job
A dispirited and resigned expression on her face
Downcast after his defeat
Feeling discouraged and downhearted
Low
Being the gear producing the lowest drive speed;
Use first gear on steep hills
Low
In a low position; near the ground;
The branches hung low
Low
Pertaining to a small or minimal degree, amount, or position.
The low temperature made it uncomfortable to swim.
Low
Indicating reduced or lessened intensity.
Low enthusiasm was evident in the meeting.
Low
Associated with a lack or deficiency.
There's a low supply of vaccines available.
Low
Relating to a depressed or unhappy state.
She felt low after hearing the sad news.
Common Curiosities
When should I use "less"?
Use "less" when you need to express a reduction from a previous amount or compared to another subject.
What does "low" mean?
"Low" describes a state or level that is minimal in quantity, intensity, or position.
When should I use "low"?
Use "low" when referring to inherent characteristics or conditions that are minimal or reduced.
What does "less" mean?
"Less" is a comparative term used to indicate a smaller amount or degree compared to something else.
Can "low" and "less" be used interchangeably?
Generally, no, because "low" describes absolute states, while "less" is used for comparative reductions.
What are some examples of "less"?
Less interest, less money, less time.
How does "low" impact meaning?
"Low" can indicate something is minimal, insufficient, or undesirable.
What are some examples of "low"?
Low pressure, low energy, low risk.
How does "less" impact meaning?
"Less" often suggests improvement or a desirable reduction in something, like consumption or waste.
Is "less" always about negative reduction?
Not necessarily, "less" can imply positive changes like less stress or less pollution.
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Maham Liaqat
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
