What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lowest
Example
The temperature hit its lowest point of the year last night. [lowest: adjective]
Example
She scored the lowest on the test out of all her classmates. [lowest: adverb]
inferior
Example
The store brand cereal is inferior to the name-brand version. [inferior: adjective]
Example
He felt inferior to his colleagues who had more experience. [inferior: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inferior is more commonly used than lowest in everyday language. Inferior is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while lowest is less common and often used in specific contexts such as physical measurements or quantities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lowest and inferior?
Both lowest and inferior are typically associated with a formal tone, but inferior can also be used in informal contexts to describe something of lower quality or value.
