inferior

Everyday

1. Inferior means not as good as something else, or of poor quality. tree →
2. Inferior means lower in rank or position. tree →
3. An inferior is a person of lower rank than someone, such as a junior worker. tree →
4. (science, anatomy) Inferior means lower down in the body: the inferior vena cava carries blood from the lower body. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life it is used for cheap or badly made things: «inferior goods». In stories and history it shows unfairness when people are treated as inferior because of who they are, which is wrong. In science it appears in body names. Phrases: «inferior to», «feel inferior», «inferiority complex», «of inferior quality».

Examples

• This plastic toy is inferior to the wooden one. tree →
• Nobody should be treated as inferior because of their skin colour. tree →
• The shop sold inferior shoes that fell apart in a week. tree →
• He felt inferior next to his clever older sister. tree →
• In the army an officer gives orders to inferiors. tree →
• The copy was of inferior quality to the original painting. tree →
• They were socially inferior to him. tree →

Note

Use «inferior to», not «inferior than». Opposite: «superior». It is already a comparison, so do not say «more inferior». The noun «inferiority» means the state of being inferior. Calling a person inferior is hurtful.

In Jewish tradition

It means lower or less than someone else, as when Job tells his friends he is not less wise than they are.

Interpretation. Daniel's vision describes kingdoms in order, each weaker than the one before, which tradition links to the empires that ruled Israel.

Examples

• What ye know, do I know also; I am not inferior unto you. (Writings JOB.13.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you; yea, who knoweth not such things as these? (Writings JOB.12.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee; and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. (Writings DAN.2.39, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Use «inferior to», not «inferior than». Opposite: «superior». It is already a comparison, so do not say «more inferior». The noun «inferiority» means the state of being inferior. Calling a person inferior is hurtful.