bottom
To reach the lowest point or level before starting to rise or improve again. It is frequently used in academic and economic contexts to describe data cycles or market trends reaching their minimum value.
Examples
3 of 5House prices finally bottomed last month after a long decline.
Real estate costs reached their lowest point last month before stabilizing.
The economic indicators suggest the recession has bottomed out.
Data shows the period of economic decline has reached its lowest level and is poised for recovery.
My energy levels bottomed after the long hike.
I reached the point where I had the least possible energy remaining.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'bottom' of a bowl; once a marble rolling down hits the bottom, it can only go back up the other side.
Quick Quiz
Analysts are hopeful that the unemployment rate has finally ____ out.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bottomed
Examples
House prices finally bottomed last month after a long decline.
everydayReal estate costs reached their lowest point last month before stabilizing.
The economic indicators suggest the recession has bottomed out.
formalData shows the period of economic decline has reached its lowest level and is poised for recovery.
My energy levels bottomed after the long hike.
informalI reached the point where I had the least possible energy remaining.
The researchers noted that the population decline bottomed during the mid-1990s.
academicScientists observed that the lowest point of the population loss occurred in the mid-1990s.
We believe the commodity price will bottom near the fifty-dollar mark.
businessOur firm expects the price to stop falling once it hits roughly fifty dollars.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
bottom out
to reach the lowest point before starting to increase again
the bottom line
the most important factor or the net profit of a business
from the bottom of my heart
with complete sincerity and deep feeling
Often Confused With
Base refers to a physical foundation or support, whereas 'bottom' as a verb specifically describes the process of hitting the lowest point of a trend.
Usage Notes
In academic and business English, the verb is almost always used as the phrasal verb 'bottom out' when discussing statistics or economic cycles.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'bottom' as a transitive verb (e.g., 'to bottom the price'), but it is typically intransitive, meaning it does not take a direct object.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'bottom' of a bowl; once a marble rolling down hits the bottom, it can only go back up the other side.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English 'botm', meaning the lowest part, ground, or foundation of something.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western business culture, 'bottoming out' is often viewed with cautious optimism as it signals the end of a downward trend.
Quick Quiz
Analysts are hopeful that the unemployment rate has finally ____ out.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bottomed
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
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