humble

[ huhm-buhl, uhm- ]

adjective

, hum·bler, hum·blest.

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)

, hum·bled, hum·bling.

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 Words From

• 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

The 45-year-old “Office” heartthrob and “Jack Ryan” actor joked that his wife and “A Quiet Place” co-star Emily Blunt has plans to keep him humble as he joins the ranks of honorees including Patrick Dempsey, Chris Evans, Michael B. Jordan, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.

From Los Angeles Times

Quiet and humble, Maiava didn’t even like discussing how many reps he got in practice versus Moss.

From Los Angeles Times

He said Valenzuela was a humble and gracious man who not only was a tremendous pitcher but also had the heart of a lion.

From Los Angeles Times

He described his father as a respectful and humble man who like to help people and never said no to a fan who wanted a photo with him or to speak to him.

From Los Angeles Times

“Fernando was humble in victories and very gracious in his defeats.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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