rock-bottom

1 of 2

adjective

rock-bot·​tom ˈräk-ˈbä-təm 

: being the very lowest

rock-bottom prices

also : fundamental

the rock-bottom question

rock bottom

2 of 2

noun

: the lowest or most fundamental part or level

Synonyms

Adjective

• bottom
• bottommost
• low
• lowermost
• nethermost
• undermost

Noun

• base
• basement
• bottom
• foot
• nadir

Examples of rock-bottom in a Sentence

Adjective

rock-bottom prices on home electronics

Noun

After years of heavy drug use, she has finally reached rock bottom.

Their marriage has hit rock bottom.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

After attracting a rock-bottom 10.4 million viewers in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic caused theater lockdowns, the Oscar ceremony’s viewership climbed back steadily. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025

Known as Greenbelt, the law was designed to protect Florida farmland with rock-bottom tax rates but has been mastered instead by entities eyeing land for subdivisions and shopping centers. —Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

Noun

Dern and White completely reinvented the cliché of the character who hits rock bottom with this razor-sharp dramedy, which co-stars Luke Wilson, Diane Ladd, Jason Mantzoukas, Robin Wright, Molly Shannon, and Dermot Mulroney. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025

The worst part is that moment wasn’t even rock bottom for the Canucks in that period. —Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1884, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rock bottom

noun

: the lowest point or level