humbling
Americanadjective
-
causing a person to feel less proud, especially through awe, admiration, or gratitude.
This project has involved some exceptionally talented people and it’s been a humbling experience to work with them.
-
lowering a person’s status, power, dignity, confidence, etc..
The 26:2 vote in favor of their opponents was indeed a humbling defeat.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of humbling
First recorded in 1540–50; humbl(e) ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; humbl(e) ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun sense
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Finding Inspiration in a Humbling Experience Clair Ruhenkamp learned about overcoming adversity through athletics.
From Forbes • Dec. 31, 2014
Sure, it can't be easy to master Shakespeare, as Al Pacino's actor character must do in "The Humbling," Barry Levinson's upcoming film about a stage actor possibly losing his mind.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2014
Pacino stars in forthcoming dramas Manglehorn and The Humbling, which debuted last month at the Venice Film Festival.
From BBC • Sep. 25, 2014
Toronto did pick up Venice’s one-Pacino-two-Pacino double bill of The Humbling and Manglehorn.
From Time • Sep. 6, 2014
Humbling yourself only before Jehovah, you said: 'We are all alike in the eyes of our Father.'
From An Obscure Apostle A Dramatic Story by Soissons, C. S. de
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
