Meaning of inferior in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/

   US accent

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   UK accent

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1. Classifying Adjective

   inferior

   Definitions

   1. inferior in rank or status

   Examples

   • « the junior faculty »
   • « a lowly corporal »
   • « petty officialdom »
   • « a subordinate functionary »

   Synonyms

   • junior
2. 2. lower than a given reference point

   Examples

   • « inferior alveolar artery »

   Synonyms

   • bottom(a)
3. 3. falling short of some prescribed norm

   Examples

   • « substandard housing »

   Synonyms

   • nonstandard

4. Noun

   inferior

   Definitions

   1. one of lesser rank or station or quality

   Antonyms

   • superior
   • higher-up
   • superordinate
5. 2. a character or symbol set or printed or written beneath or slightly below and to the side of another character

   Antonyms

   • superscript
   • superior

6. Qualitative Adjective

   inferior

   Etymology

   late Middle English (in inferior (sense 2 of the adjective)): from Latin, comparative of inferus‘low’

   Definitions

   1. of or characteristic of low rank or importance

   Synonyms

   • humble
   • low
   • lowly
   • modest
   • small
   • indifferent
   • less
   • lower
   • low-level
   • middle-level
   • outclassed

   Antonyms

   • superior
7. 2. of low or inferior quality

   Synonyms

   • bad
   • base
   • bum
   • cheap
   • cheesy
   • chintzy
   • crummy
   • punk
   • sleazy
   • tinny
   • bush-league
   • bush
   • cardboard
   • flimsy
   • cheapjack
   • shoddy
   • tawdry
   • coarse
   • common
   • coarsened
   • commercial
   • deplorable
   • execrable
   • miserable
   • woeful
   • wretched
   • less
   • low-grade
   • mediocre
   • poor
   • second-rate
   • ropey
   • ropy
   • scrawny
   • scrubby
   • stunted
   • second-class
   • utility(a)
   • utility-grade
   • third-rate

   Antonyms

   • superior
8. 3. written or printed below and to one side of another character

   Antonyms

   • adscript
   • superscript
   • superior
9. 4. having an orbit between the sun and the Earth's orbit

   Examples

   • « Mercury and Venus are inferior planets »

   Antonyms

   • superior