low-quality

low-quality — adjective

1. used to describe an object or product that is not made to a satisfactory level —

1.形容詞B1
釋義

used to describe an object or product that is not made to a satisfactory level — for example, cheap headphones that produce crackly sound, or furniture that breaks soon after purchase.

例句

Joshua returned the low-quality headphones because the audio was crackly.

collocation: low-quality + product nouns (headphones, furniture, toys)

The market was full of low-quality toys that fell apart in a few days.

attributive use before noun

同義詞
  • inferior

    stronger and more formal; suggests something is clearly worse than others of its kind

  • shoddy

    implies carelessness or poor workmanship, not just low materials

  • substandard

    more formal; suggests the item fails to meet a minimum required level

  • second-rate

    suggests something is noticeably less good than the best options available

反義詞
  • high-quality

    direct opposite — made or done to a superior standard

  • top-notch

    informal; suggests the best possible quality

文法句型

low-quality + noun

be + low quality

用法筆記

The hyphenated form 'low-quality' is standard when the compound appears before a noun ('low-quality goods'). When used after a linking verb, speakers often drop the hyphen: 'These parts are low quality.' Both forms are acceptable in modern English.

常見錯誤

❌This is a low-quality.' (using it as a noun)
✅This is low-quality.' or 'This is of low quality.
💡'low-quality' is an adjective and should not be treated as a countable noun.
❌We need to improve the low-quality of the service.
✅We need to improve the low quality of the service.
💡when preceded by 'the', the noun phrase 'low quality' is used without the hyphen.

2. describing work, effort, or behaviour that falls short of what is expected — sug

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing work, effort, or behaviour that falls short of what is expected — suggesting carelessness, lack of pride, or insufficient skill in what someone produces.

例句

The manager rejected the low-quality report and asked Tuan to rewrite it.

collocation: low-quality + work/output nouns (report, assignment, service)

Anjali was warned that repeatedly submitting low-quality work could lead to dismissal.

low-quality + abstract noun (work) in professional context

同義詞
  • poor

    more general; less specific about the standard expected

  • careless

    focuses on lack of attention rather than the result itself

  • slipshod

    more formal and literary; strongly implies the person did not try hard enough

反義詞
  • professional

    suggests work meets the expected standards of a trained person

  • thorough

    focuses on carefulness and completeness rather than quality level

文法句型

low-quality + abstract noun (work, service, results)

be + low quality (of work or effort)

用法筆記

Common in workplace performance reviews and educational feedback. Unlike sense 1, which applies to manufactured objects, this sense applies to the output of human effort — writing, design, service, or craft. The subject of the sentence is often a manager, teacher, or client who evaluates the work.

常見錯誤

❌He is a low-quality worker.' (applying to the person)
✅He produces low-quality work.
💡'low-quality' should describe the output, not the person's character or ability.