Inferior

Inferior is an adjective derived from the Latin inferus, meaning "lower" or "below." It is used to describe something that occupies a lower position, has a lower rank or quality, or belongs to a subordinate degree. In neutral technical writing, it is a precise descriptor; in everyday use, it can be pejorative when applied to people.

In anatomy and medicine, inferior indicates a position toward the feet or the lower part of the body, opposite of superior. Clinically, terms such as inferior vena cava or inferior nasal meatus illustrate this orientation. In neuroanatomy, the inferior colliculus lies below the superior colliculus within the midbrain.

In law, an inferior court is a court of limited jurisdiction that is subordinate to a higher court; its rulings may be reviewed or overturned on appeal. In some jurisdictions, the term is used for trial courts or lower appellate courts.

In economics, an inferior good is a good for which demand declines as income rises, or increases less than proportionally with income. When incomes increase, consumers substitute away from inferior goods toward higher-quality or more desirable alternatives. Examples often cited include inexpensive staple foods or budget brands; during recessions, such goods may see rising demand.

Etymology traces to Latin inferus, and the word is commonly paired with superior in contrasts such as superior-inferior or inferiority. While broadly neutral in technical contexts, the term can carry value judgments when applied to people. See also: superior, inferiority complex.