noble

American  

[noh-buhl] / ˈnoʊ bəl /

adjective

nobler, noblest

1. distinguished by rank or title.

2. pertaining to persons so distinguished.

3. of, belonging to, or constituting a hereditary class that has special social or political status in a country or state; of or pertaining to the aristocracy.

   Synonyms:

   blue-blooded, patrician, aristocratic, highborn

   Antonyms:

   bourgeois, middle-class, working-class, lower-class, common, lowborn, baseborn

4. of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence.

   a noble thought.

   Synonyms:

   worthy, estimable, honorable, magnanimous, principled, high-minded, elevated, lofty, meritorious

   Antonyms:

   common, vulgar, base, ignoble

5. admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution, or composition.

   a noble poem.

   Synonyms:

   august, dignified, grand

   Antonyms:

   unrespected, disreputable, undignified

6. very impressive or imposing in appearance.

   a noble monument.

   Synonyms:

   imperial, regal, impressive, splendid, imposing, magnificent, stately, grand, majestic, lordly

   Antonyms:

   ordinary, plain, modest, paltry, mean, insignificant

7. of an admirably high quality; notably superior; excellent

   Synonyms:

   exceptional, exemplary, outstanding, notable, noteworthy

   Antonyms:

   unexceptional, ordinary, inferior

8. famous; illustrious; renowned.

   Synonyms:

   distinguished, celebrated, famed

   Antonyms:

   obscure, unknown, remarkable

9. Chemistry. inert; chemically inactive.

10. Falconry. (of a hawk) having excellent qualities or abilities.

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noun

1. a person of noble birth or rank; nobleman or noblewoman.

   Synonyms:

   patrician, blue blood, aristocrat, peer

   Antonyms:

   peasant, serf, commoner

2. a former gold coin of England, first issued in 1346 by Edward III, equal to half a mark or 6s. 8d., replaced in 1464 under Edward IV by the rose noble.

3. (in Britain) a peer.

noble British  

/ ˈnəʊbəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a hereditary class with special social or political status, often derived from a feudal period

2. of or characterized by high moral qualities; magnanimous

   a noble deed

3. having dignity or eminence; illustrious

4. grand or imposing; magnificent

   a noble avenue of trees

5. of superior quality or kind; excellent

   a noble strain of horses

6. chem

   1. (of certain elements) chemically unreactive

   2. (of certain metals, esp copper, silver, and gold) resisting oxidation

7. falconry

   1. designating long-winged falcons that capture their quarry by stooping on it from above Compare ignoble

   2. designating the type of quarry appropriate to a particular species of falcon

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noun

1. a person belonging to a privileged social or political class whose status is usually indicated by a title conferred by sovereign authority or descent

2. (in the British Isles) a person holding the title of duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron, or a feminine equivalent

3. a former Brit gold coin having the value of one third of a pound

Related Words

Noble, high-minded, magnanimous agree in referring to lofty principles and loftiness of mind or spirit. Noble implies a loftiness of character or spirit that scorns the petty, mean, base, or dishonorable: a noble deed. High-minded implies having elevated principles and consistently adhering to them: a high-minded pursuit of legal reforms. Magnanimous suggests greatness of mind or soul, especially as manifested in generosity or in overlooking injuries: magnanimous toward his former enemies.

Other Word Forms

• nobleness
  noun
• nobly
  adverb
• nonnoble
  adjective
• overnoble
  adjective
• overnobleness
  noun
• overnobly
  adverb
• pseudonoble
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of noble

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin (g)nōbilis “notable, of high rank,” equivalent to (g)nō-, root of (g)nōscere “to get to know, find out” + -bilis adjective suffix; see origin at know ¹, -ble

Explanation

A noble is a titled peer of the realm or an aristocrat. As an adjective, noble describes someone with high or elevated character, or who is impressive in appearance. From feudal times, we have known nobles as the heirs to thrones or as the holders of aristocratic title. British aristocracy, for example, produces many people of various noble titles, including dukes, earls, princes, kings, and queens. As various royal histories tell us, however, many of these nobles in title weren't quite so noble in character.

Example Sentences

Barnes & Noble in turn has sought larger discounts on the price it pays for new books.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

Several executives said the latest round of Barnes & Noble layoffs sacrificed years of institutional knowledge and led to confusion regarding the ordering process.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

He’s going to have a book signing on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 26751 Aliso Creek Rd.,

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Former Grand National winner Noble Yeats has died aged 11 following a bout of colic.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

As the delay suggests, polemics for the Noble Savage tended to meet with little sympathy in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• benevolent
• brilliant
• charitable
• dignified
• distinguished
• extraordinary
• gracious
• grand
• great
• high-minded
• honorable
• humane
• imposing
• lofty
• magnificent
• splendid
• virtuous
• worthy