humble

[ huhm-buhl, uhm- ]

adjective

humbler, humblest.

1. not proud or arrogant; modest:

   Though very successful, she remained humble.

   Synonyms: unpretentious

   Antonyms: proud

2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.:

   In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.

   Synonyms: meek, deferential

   Antonyms: proud

3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly:

   of humble origin;

   a humble home.

   Synonyms: poor, common, plain, unassuming

   Antonyms: exalted, noble

4. courteously respectful:

   In my humble opinion you are wrong.

   Synonyms: polite

   Antonyms: insolent, rude

5. low in height, level, etc.; small in size:

   a humble member of the galaxy.

verb (used with object)

humbled, humbling.

1. to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.

   Synonyms: abash, shame, mortify

   Antonyms: exalt, elevate

2. to destroy the independence, power, or will of.

   Synonyms: break, crush, subdue

3. to make meek:

   to humble one's heart.

humble

/ ˈhʌmbəl /

adjective

1. conscious of one's failings
2. unpretentious; lowly

   a humble cottage

   my humble opinion

3. deferential or servile

verb

1. to cause to become humble; humiliate
2. to lower in status

Derived Forms

• ˈhumbleness, noun
• ˈhumbler, noun
• ˈhumbling, adjective
• ˈhumbly, adverb
• ˈhumbled, adjective
• ˈhumblingly, adverb

Other Word Forms

• hum·ble·ness noun
• hum·bler noun
• hum·bly adverb
• o·ver·hum·ble adjective
• qua·si-hum·ble adjective
• un·hum·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of humble¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English (h)umble, from Old French, from Latin humilis “lowly, insignificant, on the ground”; humus, -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of humble¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin humilis low, from humus the ground

Idioms and Phrases

see eat crow (humble pie) .

Synonym Study

Humble, degrade, humiliate suggest lowering or causing to seem lower. To humble is to bring down the pride of another or to reduce them to a state of abasement: to humble an arrogant enemy. To degrade is to demote in rank or standing, or to reduce to a low level in dignity: to degrade an officer; to degrade oneself by lying. To humiliate is to make others feel or appear inadequate or unworthy, especially in some public setting: to humiliate a sensitive person.

Example Sentences

"It's exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist," she said.

From BBC

It’s a humble, nostalgic dessert—spiced and sweet, cozy under a thick blanket of cream cheese frosting.

From Salon

"It is also rather humbling to have something like that in the collection."

From BBC

From a humble upbringing in south Texas, Mischer developed an interest in live television while studying at the University of Texas in Austin.

From Los Angeles Times

In this era of supremely spoiled, entitled and delusional athletes, they have been humble, hard-working, levelheaded exemplars of everything that make sports great.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• courteous
• gentle
• modest
• ordinary
• polite
• quiet
• respectful
• self-effacing
• sheepish
• shy
• simple
• soft-spoken
• tentative
• timid
• unpretentious