second lowest

USAGE SUMMARY

'second lowest' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare three or more items or objects, with one object being the lowest, and another being the second lowest. For example: "The second lowest jar contained the most colorful flowers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

A decade on, it was the second lowest.

The Guardian - Opinion

The level is the second lowest on the scale.

The Guardian

In fact, its rate is the second lowest, after Hamilton.

The New York Times

Yet it ranks second lowest for overall employment last year.

The Guardian

Actually I think it was, I was telling you the second lowest story [return].

Yale University

Or the second lowest, if you want to be like that.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

And so the Braves took the league's second-lowest batting average,.239, into last night's game.

The New York Times - Sports

New Jersey was the second-lowest, at 8percentt, and Connecticut was seventh, at 9.7percentt.

The New York Times

In contrast, Democratic turnout was the second-lowest in 40 years.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Mexico is ranked 30th in the world — its second-lowest rating ever.

The New York Times - Sports

Keppel's score is the second-lowest.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly define the criteria for determining the lowest value to avoid ambiguity when using "second lowest".

Common error

Avoid using "second lowest" when comparing items on a relative scale, as it implies a fixed baseline rather than a variable one. Use a more appropriate term like "lower" or "near the bottom" for relative comparisons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second lowest" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating its position in a ranking or ordering relative to other items. It always assumes there are at least three items in the list being analyzed. Ludwig confirms it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Sports

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "second lowest" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is slightly better than the absolute minimum in a given set. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently encountered in news, sports, and scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability across diverse fields. While generally neutral in tone, its specific impact depends on the surrounding text. When using "second lowest", ensure a clear comparison with at least three items and carefully consider the context to avoid any ambiguity. Alternatives such as "next to the least" or "second from the bottom" can offer further precision, depending on your needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second from the bottom

This option specifies the position relative to the bottom, providing clarity about the ranking.

next to the least

This alternative uses more descriptive language to convey a similar meaning, focusing on proximity to the minimum.

almost the least

This option uses "almost" to suggest that it is very close to being the least, but not quite.

nearly the lowest

This phrase emphasizes the close proximity to the lowest value or position.

just above the minimum

This phrase highlights the position being slightly higher than the minimum value.

slightly higher than the worst

This version emphasizes being better than the worst or lowest state.

runner-up for lowest

This alternative uses a sporting analogy to describe a position just above the last place.

the next highest from the bottom

This alternative adds further clarification by specifying that the ranking is from the bottom up.

penultimate lowest

This phrase uses "penultimate" to indicate the second to last position, which might sound more formal or technical.

close to the bottom

This alternative is less precise, indicating a position near the bottom without specifying it's the second.

FAQs

How can I use "second lowest" in a sentence?

You can use "second lowest" to compare values. For instance, "This is the "second lowest" score on record", or "Their attendance was the "second lowest" in the league".

What phrases can I use instead of "second lowest"?

Alternatives include "next to the least", "nearly the lowest", or "second from the bottom", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "second lowest"?

It's appropriate when comparing at least three items and specifying a rank just above the absolute lowest. It's precise and best used in contexts where you need to indicate a position that is better than the absolute minimum but still quite low.

What's the difference between ""second lowest"" and "third lowest"?

"Second lowest" indicates a value that is just above the absolute lowest, while "third lowest" indicates a value that is two positions above the absolute lowest. The choice depends on the specific ranking you want to convey.