inferior

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ɪnˈfɪriɚ/ UK /ɪnˈfɪəriə/ See IPA manual

adj noun

Meanings

1

adj
lower in rank, quality, or value

The cheaper fabric proved inferior after a single wash.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · lower in rank, quality, or... lower lesser subordinatesubstandardmediocresecond-rate

Opposites

superior better higher

Word family

Derived forms inferiorityinferiorly

Related forms infer infernoinfra

Etymology

From Latin inferior ('lower'), comparative of inferus ('low, below'), from a Proto-Indo-European root *ndher- ('under').

inferior Latin inferus Latin *ndher- Proto-Indo-European

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

# inferior

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** ɪnˈfɪriɚ
**IPA (UK):** ɪnˈfɪəriə

## Meanings
1. lower in rank, quality, or value

## Examples
- The cheaper fabric proved inferior after a single wash.

## Synonyms
- lower
- lesser
- subordinate
- substandard
- mediocre
- second-rate

## Antonyms
- superior
- better
- higher

## Derived Forms
- inferiority
- inferiorly

## Related Forms
- infer
- inferno
- infra

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: inferior
- Root: inferus
- Root: *ndher-

## Etymology
From Latin inferior ('lower'), comparative of inferus ('low, below'), from a Proto-Indo-European root *ndher- ('under').

## AI Etymology
Inferior comes from Latin inferior ('lower'), comparative of inferus ('low, below'), from a Proto-Indo-European root *ndher- ('under'). The historical trail runs through Latin inferior, Latin inferus and Proto-Indo-European *ndher-. In modern use it means lower in rank, quality, or value. Derived formations include inferiority, inferiorly; related forms include infer, inferno, infra.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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inferior

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