Lowercase letters are the smaller form of letters in the alphabet, used in writing and printing. They are typically used in the middle of sentences and for most words, making text easier to read. For example, in the word apple, the letter "a" is a lowercase letter. In the English alphabet, there are 26 lowercase letters, ranging from a to z. Each lowercase letter corresponds to an uppercase letter, such as A and B. Lowercase letters are essential for proper grammar and punctuation, helping to convey meaning in written language.