meek

American  

[meek] / mik /

adjective

meeker, meekest

1. humbly patient or quiet in nature, as under provocation from others.

   Synonyms:

   yielding, soft, timid, weak, obedient, calm, pacific, unassuming, passive

2. overly submissive or compliant; tame.

3. Obsolete. gentle; kind.

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meek British  

/ miːk /

adjective

1. patient, long-suffering, or submissive in disposition or nature; humble

2. spineless or spiritless; compliant

3. an obsolete word for gentle

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Usage

What does meek mean? When used in a positive way, meek describes someone who shows patient restraint. When used negatively, it means overly submissive. The positive sense of meek implies that someone is able to remain calm and subdued even when being provoked. Its negative use is perhaps more common, and is intended to indicate that someone is being too passive. The word meek is often associated with Christian virtues due to its use in a well-known Bible passage. Example: I know you’re naturally reserved, but you can’t be so meek during job interviews.

Related Words

See gentle.

Other Word Forms

• meekly adverb
• meekness noun
• overmeek adjective

Etymology

Origin of meek

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English meke, meoc, from Old Norse mjūkr “soft, mild, meek”

Explanation

The adjective meek describes a person who is willing to go along with whatever other people want to do, like a meek classmate who won't speak up, even when he or she is treated unfairly. A meek person can also be humble, but these words aren't quite synonyms. If you are humble, you don't want a lot of attention, like the humble athlete who has a truly excellent performance yet after the game, tells reporters that it was group effort by the whole team. A meek person, on the other hand, would never think a reporter would ever want to talk to him or her, and if asked, would probably try to get someone else, someone more "worthy," to do it.

Example Sentences

A pope’s main role is to bear witness to the words of Christ, who said far more about taking care of the meek and turning the other cheek than he did about waging war.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

There’s a single-panel comic by the artist Paul Noth that pokes fun at researchers’ meek attempts.

From Slate • Jan. 30, 2026

The meek Eagles sputtered and stalled, brainlessly frittering a time out that might have extended the game.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

Unable to move his feet, he could only offer a meek prod at Webster.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

Whose streak, unlike Beans’s, was meek, not mean.

From "Wringer" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• deferential
• docile
• gentle
• passive
• serene
• subdued
• submissive
• timid
• unassuming