down-low

noun

ˈdau̇n-ˌlō

Phrases

the down-low

: a state or condition of secrecy

—usually used in the phrase on the down-low

Alcindor was able to keep his drug use on the down-low, but Allen was not so lucky.—Seth Davis

The spot was called Houston's. Dimly lit, it was a restaurant on the down-low.—Sister Souljah

—abbreviation DL

Examples of down-low in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Consider keeping plans on the down-low for a few more days. — Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026 Wiener, in his on-the-down-low shadow campaign, has raised a bit over $1 million, not nearly enough. — Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025 Some do it on the down-low while others use nonnative and albino snakes, like Molieri does. — Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026 More recently, Austin has kept his relationship on the down-low. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for down-low

Word History

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of down-low was in 1992

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

downlooked

down-low

downlying

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Down-low.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/down-low. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

down-low

noun

Examples of down-low in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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