ennoble

American  

[en-noh-buhl] / ɛnˈnoʊ bəl /

verb (used with object)

ennobled, ennobling

1. to elevate in degree, excellence, or respect; dignify; exalt.

   a personality ennobled by true generosity.

2. to confer a title of nobility on.

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ennoble British  

/ ɪˈnəʊbəl /

verb

1. to make noble, honourable, or excellent; dignify; exalt

2. to raise to a noble rank; confer a title of nobility upon

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Other Word Forms

• ennoblement noun
• ennobler noun
• ennobling adjective
• ennoblingly adverb
• unennobled adjective
• unennobling adjective

Etymology

Origin of ennoble

1425–75; late Middle English ennobelen < Middle French, Old French ennoblir. See en- ¹, noble

Example Sentences

Patriotism was ennobling, self-sacrifice was reflexive; heroism was rewarded, and everybody was proudly in this fight together.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her stoicism is all the more ennobling, given how much it costs her.

From Los Angeles Times

He stood down as an MP in 1992 and was ennobled as a cross-bench peer in the same year, despite his party's opposition to the Lords at the time.

From BBC

Shostakovich’s detractors have accused him of ennobling Stalin while defenders have sought out subtle musical cues of dissent.

From Los Angeles Times

When her husband was ennobled some years earlier, she was entitled to be called Lady Kinnock - but it was a title she never used.

From BBC