Words / C1

in-FEERR-ee-uh/ɪnˈfɪəriə/

Inferior means lower in quality or rank: inferior to the original, an inferior copy. Worse is everyday; superior is the opposite. Infer (already in the dictionary) is conclude from evidence — related look. Inferiority is the noun. Do not call a person inferior in academic prose; talk about the work.

Meaning

Lower in quality, rank, or status (inferior to).

Examples

• “A photocopy is inferior to the signed original in an audit.”
• “A photocopy is inferior to the wet-ink original when the auditors come.”
• “Infer the cause from the log; inferior describes rank or quality. Superior is the opposite pole.”

Good to know

Worse / lower in rank (inferior to). Opposite: superior. Mix-up: infer (conclude). Everyday: worse. Prefer “inferior work”, not “inferior people”.

Near in meaning

worse

New