inferior

adjective

in·​fe·​ri·​or in-ˈfir-ē-ər 

1

: of little or less importance, value, or merit

always felt inferior to his older brother

2

a

: of low or lower degree or rank

b

: of poor quality : mediocre

3

: situated lower down : lower

4

a

: situated below another and especially another similar superior part of an upright body

b

: situated in a relatively low posterior or ventral position in a quadrupedal body

c(1)

: situated below another plant part or organ

(2)

: abaxial

5

: relating to or being a subscript

inferior noun

inferiority

(ˌ)in-ˌfir-ē-ˈȯr-ə-tē 

-ˈär-

noun

inferiorly

in-ˈfir-ē-ər-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• lower
• nether

Examples of inferior in a Sentence

… the pearls were of inferior quality; they looked like pearlized globs of varying wrinkly shapes. —Tracie Rozhon, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2002

Sharks, rays, and ratfishes share a special burden: these cartilaginous fishes are saddled with a reputation for being somehow inferior to vertebrates blessed with bony skeletons. —Carl Zimmer, Natural History, September 2000

No longer do workers and peasants feel inferior to the university-trained. —Rhea Menzel Whitehead, Saturday Review, 4 Mar. 1972

These pearls are of inferior quality.

They were considered a socially inferior group.

He always felt inferior around his brother.

The judges voted to overturn a ruling made by an inferior court.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other early innovations, such as fish sticks, were created not to delight the palate but to sell food that many people considered inferior. —Meghan McCarron, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025

John Magaro is terrific as Jarrett, a once-in-a-generation talent who was sleep-deprived, suffering from acute back pain and disdainful of the inferior instrument on which he was expected to perform. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025

While the offense has been the story, a sneaky-stout interior defense has given the Ponies a steady floor against inferior competition. —Jim Root, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025

Rootstock sprouts tend to be thorny and produce inferior fruit. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, comparative of inferus lower — more at under

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing inferior

• inferior conjunction
• inferior planet

Kids Definition

inferior

1 of 2 adjective

in·​fe·​ri·​or

in-ˈfir-ē-ər

1

: situated lower down

2

: of low or lower degree or rank

3

: of little or less importance, value, or merit

inferior

2 of 2 noun

: an inferior person or thing

Medical Definition

inferior

adjective

in·​fe·​ri·​or in-ˈfir-ē-ər 

1

: situated below and closer to the feet than another and especially another similar part of an upright body especially of a human being compare superior sense 1

2

: situated in a more posterior or ventral position in the body of a quadruped compare superior sense 2

Legal Definition

inferior

adjective

in·​fe·​ri·​or

: of lower status, rank, or priority