One syllable: lows.
/loʊz/
Say it backLows is the plural form of low, referring to low positions or values, or to low-lying sounds in some contexts. In pronunciation, the word is a simple, monosyllabic unit that typically functions as a noun or verb in phrases like “the lows of the cavern” or “the prices lows last quarter.” It shares phonological traits with the word loaf but ends with /z/ in the standard plural form.
"The valleys are calm, but the lows will drop again tonight."
"When the stock prices lows, traders panic."
"The singer hits the lows with surprising power."
Pronounce lows as /loʊz/ in US and /ləʊz/ in UK/AU. Start with the /l/ tongue tip at the alveolar ridge, seat the vocal folds, then glide from /o/ toward /u/ with a tight, rounded mouth for the /oʊ/ diphthong; end with a clear /z/ voiced fricative. The plural /z/ is pronounced as a voiceless or voiced sibilant? It’s voiced here: /z/. Keep the final sound soft but audible, not a hiss. IPA: US /loʊz/, UK /ləʊz/, AU /ləʊz/.
Common mistakes: dropping the /z/ and using /s/ or /z/ incorrectly, and misproducing the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ diphthong. Correction: ensure the first element is /l/ with a light touch of the tongue against the alveolar ridge, form a clean /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ glide by rounding the lips and keeping the tongue high-mid, then finish with a voiced /z/—not a /s/ or a silent ending.
In US English, /loʊz/ with a prominent /oʊ/ diphthong and a clear voiced /z/. In UK English, /ləʊz/ often features a shorter /ə/ reduced first syllable vowel, a more back mid-to-back onset, and a slightly crisper /z/. In Australian English, /ləʊz/ can have a reduced initial syllable and a more centralized starting point for the diphthong; some speakers may merge /loʊ/ toward /ləʊ/ with less lip rounding. All share the final /z/.
The challenge lies in the diphthong /oʊ/ moving from mid to high, and maintaining a voiced /z/ without voicing loss at the end. Some speakers over-shortening the diphthong produce /loz/ or misarticulate the /l/ by swallowing air at the start. Also, in rapid speech, the /l/ and the following vowel can blend, causing a blur between /l/ and the vowel. Focus on articulatory precision: tip of the tongue at the alveolar ridge, rounded lips for the diphthong, and a crisp /z/.
A distinctive aspect is the resolution of the /oʊ/ diphthong into a single, smooth glide before the voicel /z/. You’ll hear a slight transition: /l/ + /oʊ/ + /z/. Because the plural ends with a voiced fricative, you should maintain voicing from the vowel into the /z/ without voicing drop or lengthening. Listen for a concise, well-rounded /oʊ/ followed by a sharp /z/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "lows"!
Lows comes from Old English lagu, meaning a hollow or valley, related to low, which traces to Proto-Germanic *luguz or *laguz with the sense of hollow or cave. The plural form developed with Middle English usage, often indicating multiple hollows, dips, or depths. Over time, low also extended to describe low-pitched sounds, temperature, or prices, and the plural lows appears in modern English to denote several instances or examples of low values, points, or levels. The word is cognate with Dutch laag and German tief, sharing the root idea of depth or low position. First known uses appear in medieval texts referring to geographic depressions; by the 16th–18th centuries, it appeared in figurative forms such as economic lows or emotional lows, before stabilizing as a common plural noun in contemporary usage.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "lows" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "lows" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "lows" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "lows"
-ows sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
