ignoble

[ ig-noh-buhl ]

adjective

1. of low character, aims, etc.; mean; base:

   his ignoble purposes.

   Synonyms: contemptible, ignominious, dishonorable, degraded

   Antonyms: honorable

2. of low grade or quality; inferior.

   Antonyms: superior

3. not noble; of humble descent or rank.

   Synonyms: peasant, plebeian, obscure, lowly

4. Falconry. noting any hawk with short wings that chases or rakes after the quarry.

ignoble

/ ɪɡˈnəʊbəl /

adjective

1. dishonourable; base; despicable
2. of low birth or origins; humble; common
3. of low quality; inferior
4. falconry
   1. designating short-winged hawks that capture their quarry by swiftness and adroitness of flight Compare noble
   2. designating quarry which is inferior or unworthy of pursuit by a particular species of hawk or falcon

Derived Forms

• igˈnobly, adverb
• ˌignoˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• igno·bili·ty ig·noble·ness noun
• ig·nobly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignoble¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin ignōbilis unknown, inglorious, equivalent to in- in- ³ + OL gnōbilis ( Latin nōbilis ) noble

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignoble¹

C16: from Latin ignōbilis, from in- ¹+ Old Latin gnōbilis noble

Example Sentences

He won despite a long, ignoble record.

From Los Angeles Times

McKibben said he was moved to found Third Act after he heard too many people his age say it was up to the next generation to solve these problems, which seemed “some combination of ignoble and impractical.”

From Los Angeles Times

Former President Trump’s conviction on 34 criminal counts of falsifying business records in New York is an ignoble first.

From Los Angeles Times

"Simple, ignoble, under-appreciated green cabbage: It has got to be one of the most unpretentious and humblest in all of the Cruciferae family, if not among the entire vegetable kingdom. It is nutrient-packed, like the rest of its cruciferous brethren, yet it has not always garnered the same respect as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts or even broccoli."

From Salon

Noble words for an ignoble political era, but it was an equally critical time six months ago, and history should also judge him for what he did not do back then.

From Slate