nadir

/ˈneɪdɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [nˈedɚ] /ˈneɪdɪr/ (ame, ipa) · [nˈedɚ] /ˈnā-ˌdir How to pronounce nadir (audio) ˈnā-dər How to pronounce nadir (audio)/ (ame, mw)

nadir — noun

1. the point in a difficult period when things seem most hopeless or least successf

1.名詞C2
釋義

the point in a difficult period when things seem most hopeless or least successful.

例句

After three missed rent payments, the family's finances hit their nadir.

hit their nadir for the worst stage

Public trust reached its nadir when the mayor hid the safety report.

reach its nadir for collapse in confidence

同義詞
  • low point

    broader and much more common in everyday English

  • rock bottom

    more informal and often more dramatic

  • trough

    more often used for cycles, figures, or repeated ups and downs

反義詞
  • zenith

    the highest or most successful stage

  • peak

    a more common word for the highest point

文法句型

at its nadir

reach a nadir

sink to a nadir

用法筆記

Common with situations, confidence, morale, or a career. Distinguish from noun 2, which focuses on a measured level rather than an emotional or historical low point.

常見錯誤

❌The scandal was in its lowest point.
✅The scandal was at its nadir.
💡English usually uses 'at its nadir' for the worst stage of a situation.

2. the level where a number, rate, or amount has fallen as low as it goes.

2.名詞C2
釋義

the level where a number, rate, or amount has fallen as low as it goes.

例句

Oil prices fell to their nadir in April before rising again.

fall to their nadir for lowest recorded level

By dawn, the river level was at its nadir below the old bridge.

同義詞
  • low

    shorter and much more common in charts or reports

  • bottom

    informal and often used for a minimum level in a trend

  • trough

    especially used for the low part of a cycle or curve

反義詞
  • peak

    the highest level in a period

  • high point

    plain English for the top level or strongest moment

文法句型

at its nadir

hit a nadir

fall to a nadir

用法筆記

Used for figures, measurements, and levels that can rise or fall over time. Distinguish from noun 1, which often describes the worst phase of a broader situation.

常見錯誤

❌Prices were at the nadir in April.
✅Prices were at their nadir in April.
💡English often links this sense to the figures or level being measured.

3. the point straight below an observer, or the lowest place a heavenly body reache

3.名詞C2
釋義

the point straight below an observer, or the lowest place a heavenly body reaches on its path.

例句

On the chart, the nadir lay directly beneath the balloon basket.

directly beneath the observer or object

The astronomer marked the nadir below the observatory before drawing the horizon.

astronomy diagram: point below the observer

同義詞
  • lowest point

    a plain description rather than the technical term

反義詞
  • zenith

    the point directly above the observer

文法句型

at nadir

below the nadir

near its nadir

用法筆記

Used in astronomy, navigation, and sky diagrams. Distinguish from noun 2, which is about a low measured level, and from 'zenith', which names the opposite point overhead.

常見錯誤

❌The nadir was above the plane.
✅The nadir was below the plane.
💡by definition, the nadir is directly underneath the observer.