humble

[ huhm-buhl, uhm- ]

adjective

, hum·bler, hum·blest.

1. not proud or arrogant; modest:

   Though very successful, she remained humble.

   Synonyms: unpretentious

   Antonyms: proud

2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.:

   In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.

   Synonyms: meek, deferential

   Antonyms: proud

3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly:

   of humble origin;

   a humble home.

   Synonyms: poor, common, plain, unassuming

   Antonyms: exalted, noble

4. courteously respectful:

   In my humble opinion you are wrong.

   Synonyms: polite

   Antonyms: insolent, rude

5. low in height, level, etc.; small in size:

   a humble member of the galaxy.

verb (used with object)

, hum·bled, hum·bling.

1. to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.

   Synonyms: abash, shame, mortify

   Antonyms: exalt, elevate

2. to destroy the independence, power, or will of.

   Synonyms: break, crush, subdue

3. to make meek:

   to humble one's heart.

humble

/ ˈhʌmbəl /

adjective

1. conscious of one's failings
2. unpretentious; lowly

   my humble opinion

   a humble cottage

3. deferential or servile

verb

1. to cause to become humble; humiliate
2. to lower in status

Derived Forms

• ˈhumblingly, adverb
• ˈhumbled, adjective
• ˈhumbling, adjective
• ˈhumbly, adverb
• ˈhumbler, noun
• ˈhumbleness, noun

Other Words From

• hum·ble·ness noun
• hum·bler noun
• hum·bly adverb
• o·ver·hum·ble adjective
• qua·si-hum·ble adjective
• un·hum·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of humble¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English (h)umble, from Old French, from Latin humilis “lowly, insignificant, on the ground”; humus, -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of humble¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin humilis low, from humus the ground

Idioms and Phrases

see eat crow (humble pie) .

Synonym Study

Humble, degrade, humiliate suggest lowering or causing to seem lower. To humble is to bring down the pride of another or to reduce them to a state of abasement: to humble an arrogant enemy. To degrade is to demote in rank or standing, or to reduce to a low level in dignity: to degrade an officer; to degrade oneself by lying. To humiliate is to make others feel or appear inadequate or unworthy, especially in some public setting: to humiliate a sensitive person.

Example Sentences

Like people, sometimes you can have an exceptional storm arise from very humble origins.

From Science News

A humble microchip in the early 1960s would have boasted a handful of transistors.

From Singularity Hub 

They’re not the only ones trying to boost the functionality of the humble brick.

From Singularity Hub 

These ad units are much less annoying than other video types, but they’re also cost-effective tools that drive upper-funnel and bottom-funnel goals for companies with humble ad budgets.

From Search Engine Watch

Despite its humble beginnings, Urban Dictionary has made quite a name for itself and continues to grow, with new entries every day.

From TruthBeTold.news

What matters is being honest, humble, and a faithful and loyal friend, father and member of your community.

From The Daily Beast

They are to face oppression with humble persistence and absolute conviction.

From The Daily Beast

Abramoff said that the governor needed to remember to “be humble.”

From The Daily Beast

His goal of coming across as humble subtracts from his ability to share just exactly how he became so great at such a young age.

From The Daily Beast

At first glance, it might be tempting to interpret this extravagant level of compensation as a victory for the once-humble intern.

From The Daily Beast

Sick, trembling, her beautiful face humble and tearful enough now, she bent it on his shoulder in a shower of bitter tears.

From Project Gutenberg

This man by hard, manual labor makes only enough to pay for humble shelter and plain food.

From Project Gutenberg

He at once bowed himself to the ground in gratitude, and in words of the most humble sort returned his thanks.

From Project Gutenberg

In my humble opinion the Railway Commissioners have done much useful work and done it well.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a weaver in humble life till his self-acquired attainments attracted patronage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• courteous
• gentle
• modest
• ordinary
• polite
• quiet
• respectful
• self-effacing
• sheepish
• shy
• simple
• soft-spoken
• tentative
• timid
• unpretentious