meek

[ meek ]

adjective

, meek·er, meek·est.

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.

meek

/ miːk /

adjective

1. patient, long-suffering, or submissive in disposition or nature; humble
2. spineless or spiritless; compliant
3. an obsolete word for gentle

Derived Forms

• ˈmeekness, noun
• ˈmeekly, adverb

Other Words From

• meek·ly adverb
• meek·ness noun
• o·ver·meek adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meek¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of meek¹

C12: related to Old Norse mjūkr amenable; compare Welsh mwytho to soften

Synonym Study

See gentle.

Example Sentences

Even a meek worm can suddenly turn around and resist.

From Los Angeles Times

Yo Gotti, Fetty Wap, Lil Wayne, Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj are among the rappers who have worked with the “Flex” artist.

From Los Angeles Times

Kemi Badenoch is proudly outspoken and seeks to make a virtue out of saying things she thinks others are too meek to take on.

From BBC

Carse conceded 63 runs in his first six overs but otherwise England’s seamers were much improved on their meek showing in Nottingham.

From BBC

Everyone loves Lincoln, and he was such a meek man.

From Salon

Related Words

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