adjective
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patient, long-suffering, or submissive in disposition or nature; humble
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spineless or spiritless; compliant
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an obsolete word for gentle
Usage
What does meek mean? When used in a positive way, meek describes someone who shows patient restraint. When used negatively, it means overly submissive. The positive sense of meek implies that someone is able to remain calm and subdued even when being provoked. Its negative use is perhaps more common, and is intended to indicate that someone is being too passive. The word meek is often associated with Christian virtues due to its use in a well-known Bible passage. Example: I know you’re naturally reserved, but you can’t be so meek during job interviews.
Related Words
See gentle.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of meek
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English meke, meoc, from Old Norse mjūkr “soft, mild, meek”
Explanation
The adjective meek describes a person who is willing to go along with whatever other people want to do, like a meek classmate who won't speak up, even when he or she is treated unfairly. A meek person can also be humble, but these words aren't quite synonyms. If you are humble, you don't want a lot of attention, like the humble athlete who has a truly excellent performance yet after the game, tells reporters that it was group effort by the whole team. A meek person, on the other hand, would never think a reporter would ever want to talk to him or her, and if asked, would probably try to get someone else, someone more "worthy," to do it.
Vocabulary lists containing meek
Touching Spirit Bear
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The Cay
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"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act III
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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.
Meek came in for bacon, eggs and grits for breakfast, and chatted with owner Duc Nguyen about having Food N’ Geaux stock the honey he harvests at home.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
Meek says he could use any extra income he can get right now to keep up with inflation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
Those are the words of Ann Meek, director of Maghull Coaches in Merseyside, in the wake of a week of punishing fuel cost rises linked to the war in Iran.
From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026
“Thank you,” Meek says, half joking with relief when I say that I don’t see the need to ask about the breakup with Oleartchik again, since they’ve repeated themselves enough to other journalists already.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2025
Meek as a lamb following his flock, Edward Ashton took Old Timothy’s arm.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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.
