humble

1 of 2

adjective

hum·ble ˈhəm-bəl How to pronounce humble (audio)

also chiefly Southern ˈəm-

humbler ˈhəm-b(ə-)lər How to pronounce humble (audio)

; humblest ˈhəm-b(ə-)ləst How to pronounce humble (audio)

: not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive

: reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission

a humble apology

: ranking low in a hierarchy or scale : insignificant, unpretentious

: not costly or luxurious

a humble contraption

humbleness

ˈhəm-bəl-nəs How to pronounce humble (audio)

noun

humbly

ˈhəm-blē

adverb

humble

2 of 2

verb

hum·ble ˈhəm-bəl How to pronounce humble (audio)

also chiefly Southern ˈəm-

humbled; humbling ˈhəm-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce humble (audio)

transitive verb

: to make (someone) humble (see humble entry 1) in spirit or manner

: to destroy the power, independence, or prestige of

humbler

ˈhəm-b(ə-)lər How to pronounce humble (audio)

noun

humblingly

ˈhəm-b(ə-)liŋ-lē How to pronounce humble (audio)

adverb

Did you know?

Humility: Its Use and Meaning

Humility means “the state of being humble.” Both it and humble have their origin in the Latin word humilis, meaning "low."

Humble can be used to describe what is ranked low by others, as in "persons of humble origins." People also use the word of themselves and things associated with themselves; if you describe yourself as "but a humble editor" or refer to your home as your "humble abode," you are saying that neither you nor your home is very impressive.

Like this latter use of humble, the kind of lowness expressed in the word humility is typically one chosen by oneself. Here are some examples of humility in use:

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
— Proverbs 11:2

A sudden humility descended upon the King. He felt, as so many men were to feel in similar circumstances in ages to come, as though he were a child looking eagerly for guidance to an all-wise master—a child, moreover, handicapped by water on the brain, feet three sizes too large for him, and hands consisting mainly of thumbs.
— P. G. Wodehouse, The Clicking of Cuthbert, 1922

Eating grits and fatback for breakfast and washing up every morning in cold water from a hydrant in the backyard helped one learn humility and humanity.
— Julius Lester, Falling Pieces of Broken Sky, 1990

I realize now that she had an awareness of the nature of the order of life, and of the necessity of living with and respecting that order. With this respect comes a necessary humility that we, with our early-21st-century chutzpah, lack at our peril.
— Bill Joy, Wired, April 2000

Who has not gazed at the night sky, mouth slightly agape? The experience is so common, its effects so uniform, that a standard vocabulary has evolved to describe it. Invariably we speak of the profound humility we feel before the enormity of the universe. We are as bits of dust in a spectacle whose scope beggars the imagination, whose secrets make a mockery of reason.
— Edwin Dobb, Harper's, February 1995

If leadership has a secret sauce, it may well be humility. A humble boss understands that there are things he doesn't know. He listens: not only to the other bigwigs in Davos, but also to the kind of people who don't get invited, such as his customers.
—The Economist, 26 Jan. 2013

For many, the lowness in both humility and humble is something worth cultivating.

Example Sentences

Adjective Humble though it may be, and about as glamorous as a galosh, it is a fish that has shaped the political and social history of Europe like no other, with the possible exception of cod.

R. W. Apple, Jr., New York Times, 30 Oct. 2002 She would not come closer to me, as much as I thought she wished to, hungering not for anything like love but for plain, humble succor.

Chang-rae Lee, A Gesture Life, 1999 Women are the organizing soft-centered socialists, the nice people, the sugar-and-spice lot, identifying with the poor and humble; men are snips and snails and puppy-dog tails, and rampant, selfish, greedy capitalists.

Fay Weldon, Harper's, May 1998 Despite all his achievements, he has remained humble. He is very humble about his achievements. She is too humble to let praise go to her head. Please accept my humble apologies. Her humble suggestion is that we review the data more carefully. He comes from a humble background. She's not ashamed of her humble beginnings. Verb Cuba's reliance on tourism is a somewhat humbling turn for the revolution, which has long prided itself on producing topflight doctors and teachers—not concierges.

Tim Padgett, Time, 22 Dec. 2003 … audiences loved to see villains punished and arrogant young men humbled, they did not want to fidget and squirm through mea culpas before the final scene.

Elaine Showalter, Civilization, April/May 1999 It frightened and humbled him but also made him feel darkly charmed.

Don DeLillo, Mao II, 1991 Her success has humbled her critics. Last year's champion was humbled by an unknown newcomer. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But the 29-year-old business owner and brain behind Mick’Nics is humble.

Christina Tkacik, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2022 All of this has helped keep Smith humble, according to Landing’s CFO Casey Woo.

Amy Feldman, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Policy makers would do well to be humble in assuming endless growth in the human population.

Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 The little one also likes to keep her famous dad humble.

Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2022 Clemmer was remembered for his brilliance, and for being humble about his accomplishments.

John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 Trejo has found that the key to building a long-lasting career is to be humble.

Laura Latzko, The Arizona Republic, 1 July 2022 It’s the perfect combination of keeping yourself humble and also being one of those pinch-yourself moments.

San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2022 Where Diana Rae is humble, Diana Rae Ellis is cocky.

Mandy Mclaren, The Courier-Journal, 8 June 2022

Verb

The first thing on that list is for the Bearcats to humble themselves, Fickell said.

Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2022 Whether by land or by sea, there are plenty animals big enough to humble even the mightiest among us.

Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2022 Evidently, hose-downs can humble even the biggest egos.

Adam H. Graham, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2022 Like coach said, football will humble you real quick.

Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 18 May 2022 Alternately harrowing and hilarious, the book’s drug-consumption-per-page quotient is enough to humble Hunter S. Thompson and William S. Burroughs combined.

Alan Light, SPIN, 5 Mar. 2022 The cheap deaths and dozen or so boss showdowns will humble you, but the stellar fix of early ’90s nostalgia will keep you glued until the very end.

Joshua Khan, Wired, 26 Dec. 2021 Both books contain an abundance of stories featuring frustrated scientists who seem to live in their labs, who endure ferocious professional battles and who must humble themselves to raise funds for their work.

Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2021 The Iron Bowl can humble fan bases and players and especially the coaches, but this one showed that maybe Auburn isn’t too far behind its in-state rival after all.

Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 27 Nov. 2021 See More

Kids Definition

humble 1 of 2

adjective

hum·ble ˈhəm-bəl How to pronounce humble (audio)

humbler; humblest

: not regarding others as inferior : not overly proud : modest

She is humble despite her great success.

: expressed in a way that does not show too much pride

humble apologies

: low in rank or condition

They are people of humble origin.

humble

2 of 2

verb

humbled; humbling

: to make modest

The failure humbled him.

: to easily and unexpectedly defeat

Our surprise attack humbled the enemy.

单词	humble
释义	humble 1 of 2 adjective hum·ble ˈhəm-bəl also chiefly Southern ˈəm- humbler ˈhəm-b(ə-)lər ; humblest ˈhəm-b(ə-)ləst 1 : not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive 2 : reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission a humble apology 3 a : ranking low in a hierarchy or scale : insignificant, unpretentious b : not costly or luxurious a humble contraption humbleness ˈhəm-bəl-nəs noun humbly ˈhəm-blē adverb humble 2 of 2 verb hum·ble ˈhəm-bəl also chiefly Southern ˈəm- humbled; humbling ˈhəm-b(ə-)liŋ transitive verb 1 : to make (someone) humble (see humble entry 1) in spirit or manner 2 : to destroy the power, independence, or prestige of humbler ˈhəm-b(ə-)lər noun humblingly ˈhəm-b(ə-)liŋ-lē adverb Did you know? Humility: Its Use and Meaning Humility means “the state of being humble.” Both it and humble have their origin in the Latin word humilis, meaning "low." Humble can be used to describe what is ranked low by others, as in "persons of humble origins." People also use the word of themselves and things associated with themselves; if you describe yourself as "but a humble editor" or refer to your home as your "humble abode," you are saying that neither you nor your home is very impressive. Like this latter use of humble, the kind of lowness expressed in the word humility is typically one chosen by oneself. Here are some examples of humility in use: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. — Proverbs 11:2 A sudden humility descended upon the King. He felt, as so many men were to feel in similar circumstances in ages to come, as though he were a child looking eagerly for guidance to an all-wise master—a child, moreover, handicapped by water on the brain, feet three sizes too large for him, and hands consisting mainly of thumbs. — P. G. Wodehouse, The Clicking of Cuthbert, 1922 Eating grits and fatback for breakfast and washing up every morning in cold water from a hydrant in the backyard helped one learn humility and humanity. — Julius Lester, Falling Pieces of Broken Sky, 1990 I realize now that she had an awareness of the nature of the order of life, and of the necessity of living with and respecting that order. With this respect comes a necessary humility that we, with our early-21st-century chutzpah, lack at our peril. — Bill Joy, Wired, April 2000 Who has not gazed at the night sky, mouth slightly agape? The experience is so common, its effects so uniform, that a standard vocabulary has evolved to describe it. Invariably we speak of the profound humility we feel before the enormity of the universe. We are as bits of dust in a spectacle whose scope beggars the imagination, whose secrets make a mockery of reason. — Edwin Dobb, Harper's, February 1995 If leadership has a secret sauce, it may well be humility. A humble boss understands that there are things he doesn't know. He listens: not only to the other bigwigs in Davos, but also to the kind of people who don't get invited, such as his customers. —The Economist, 26 Jan. 2013 For many, the lowness in both humility and humble is something worth cultivating. Synonyms Adjective demure down-to-earth lowly meek modest unassuming unpretentious Verb abase chasten cheapen debase degrade demean discredit disgrace dishonor foul humiliate lower shame sink smirch take down See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective Humble though it may be, and about as glamorous as a galosh, it is a fish that has shaped the political and social history of Europe like no other, with the possible exception of cod. R. W. Apple, Jr., New York Times, 30 Oct. 2002 She would not come closer to me, as much as I thought she wished to, hungering not for anything like love but for plain, humble succor. Chang-rae Lee, A Gesture Life, 1999 Women are the organizing soft-centered socialists, the nice people, the sugar-and-spice lot, identifying with the poor and humble; men are snips and snails and puppy-dog tails, and rampant, selfish, greedy capitalists. Fay Weldon, Harper's, May 1998 Despite all his achievements, he has remained humble. He is very humble about his achievements. She is too humble to let praise go to her head. Please accept my humble apologies. Her humble suggestion is that we review the data more carefully. He comes from a humble background. She's not ashamed of her humble beginnings. Verb Cuba's reliance on tourism is a somewhat humbling turn for the revolution, which has long prided itself on producing topflight doctors and teachers—not concierges. Tim Padgett, Time, 22 Dec. 2003 … audiences loved to see villains punished and arrogant young men humbled, they did not want to fidget and squirm through mea culpas before the final scene. Elaine Showalter, Civilization, April/May 1999 It frightened and humbled him but also made him feel darkly charmed. Don DeLillo, Mao II, 1991 Her success has humbled her critics. Last year's champion was humbled by an unknown newcomer. See More Recent Examples on the Web Adjective But the 29-year-old business owner and brain behind Mick’Nics is humble. Christina Tkacik, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2022 All of this has helped keep Smith humble, according to Landing’s CFO Casey Woo. Amy Feldman, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Policy makers would do well to be humble in assuming endless growth in the human population. Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 The little one also likes to keep her famous dad humble. Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2022 Clemmer was remembered for his brilliance, and for being humble about his accomplishments. John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 Trejo has found that the key to building a long-lasting career is to be humble. Laura Latzko, The Arizona Republic, 1 July 2022 It’s the perfect combination of keeping yourself humble and also being one of those pinch-yourself moments. San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2022 Where Diana Rae is humble, Diana Rae Ellis is cocky. Mandy Mclaren, The Courier-Journal, 8 June 2022 Verb The first thing on that list is for the Bearcats to humble themselves, Fickell said. Keith Jenkins, The Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2022 Whether by land or by sea, there are plenty animals big enough to humble even the mightiest among us. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2022 Evidently, hose-downs can humble even the biggest egos. Adam H. Graham, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2022 Like coach said, football will humble you real quick. Mark Inabinett \| Minabinett@al.com, al, 18 May 2022 Alternately harrowing and hilarious, the book’s drug-consumption-per-page quotient is enough to humble Hunter S. Thompson and William S. Burroughs combined. Alan Light, SPIN, 5 Mar. 2022 The cheap deaths and dozen or so boss showdowns will humble you, but the stellar fix of early ’90s nostalgia will keep you glued until the very end. Joshua Khan, Wired, 26 Dec. 2021 Both books contain an abundance of stories featuring frustrated scientists who seem to live in their labs, who endure ferocious professional battles and who must humble themselves to raise funds for their work. Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2021 The Iron Bowl can humble fan bases and players and especially the coaches, but this one showed that maybe Auburn isn’t too far behind its in-state rival after all. Joseph Goodman \| Jgoodman@al.com, al, 27 Nov. 2021 See More Word History Etymology Adjective and Verb Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin humilis low, humble, from humus earth; akin to Greek chthōn earth, chamai on the ground First Known Use Adjective 13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing humble humble oneself humble pie of humble origin(s) humble-brag humble-bee eat humble pie from humble origins humble oneself humble pie of humble origin(s) humble-brag humble-bee eat humble pie from humble origins See More Kids Definition humble 1 of 2 adjective hum·ble ˈhəm-bəl humbler; humblest 1 : not regarding others as inferior : not overly proud : modest She is humble despite her great success. 2 : expressed in a way that does not show too much pride humble apologies 3 : low in rank or condition They are people of humble origin. humble 2 of 2 verb humbled; humbling 1 : to make modest The failure humbled him. 2 : to easily and unexpectedly defeat Our surprise attack humbled the enemy. humble 1 of 2 adjective 1 as in meek not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness a medical scientist who remained remarkably humble even after winning the Nobel Prize even though she'd been proven wrong, her attitude was still far from humble Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance meek modest unassuming lowly timid unpretentious unaffected naive demure simple down-to-earth shy quiet passive deferential unassertive subdued submissive acquiescent ingenuous resigned unaggressive reserved diffident plain compliant bashful unobtrusive sheepish cowering yielding cringing retiring introverted naïve self-effacing shrinking mousy self-deprecating mousey self-deprecatory aw-shucks overmodest Antonyms & Near Antonyms arrogant haughty egotistical pompous pretentious superior conceited presumptuous supercilious bumptious imperious egotistic impudent assertive uppity confident bold aggressive audacious cheeky peremptory uppish lordly saucy cocky brash huffy highfalutin hifalutin prideful impertinent forward brassy smug overweening boastful egocentric overconfident narcissistic hubristic presuming cocksure egoistic egoistical vain chesty self-assertive dominant high-and-mighty bombastic vainglorious huffish condescending self-asserting disdainful hoity-toity toplofty domineering flamboyant high-handed fastuous showy patronizing swaggering toploftical self-confident overbearing high-hat self-contented ostentatious self-complacent self-conceited self-satisfied dominating self-important magisterial self-centered stuck-up self-engrossed braggy uninhibited self-obsessed outgoing self-congratulatory self-pleased immodest extroverted unreserved self-affected swelled-headed extraverted pontificating See More 2 as in lowly belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank a humble peasant girl who claimed she was chosen by God to restore the French king to his throne Synonyms & Similar Words lowly low plebeian ignoble poor unwashed common proletarian vulgar inferior lowborn prole lumpen baseborn simple mean lower-class low-life bourgeois plain middle-class working-class downscale déclassé down-market Antonyms & Near Antonyms noble gentle lofty great genteel high aristocratic grand patrician highborn illustrious prominent eminent notable blue-blooded wellborn upper-class highbred upper-crust See More 3 as in servile showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness please accept my humble thanks for this unexpected favor Synonyms & Similar Words meek servile abject menial unassuming base slavish modest sheepish lowly unpretentious hangdog lamblike demure retiring sycophantic fawning sycophant toadyish Antonyms & Near Antonyms arrogant haughty supercilious superior imperious uppity lordly high-handed See More humble 2 of 2 verb as in to humiliate to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes Philip was utterly humbled by a crushing defeat in the first round of the state chess tournament Synonyms & Similar Words humiliate discredit shame disgrace embarrass insult demean take down abase dishonor smirch confuse criticize chasten rattle cheapen degrade lower debase ridicule affront nonplus disparage mortify foul abash cry down confound sink belittle diminish faze discomfit detract fluster discount malign disconcert damn slander write off minimize discountenance condemn decry defame castigate put down depreciate reprobate bad-mouth libel defile execrate censure reprehend denounce Antonyms & Near Antonyms honor praise exalt elevate salute commend congratulate applaud compliment recognize boast cheer laud aggrandize acknowledge celebrate decorate deify eulogize acclaim extol canonize hail extoll cite tout dignify highlight spotlight glorify fete ennoble uplift raise lift promote magnify advance boost enshrine upgrade fête idealize romanticize play up enthrone ensky See More
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humble

adjective

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing humble

Kids Definition

adjective

verb

adjective

verb