humble

[huhm-buhl, uhm-]

adjective

humbler, humblest 

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)

humbled, humbling 

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

   a humble cottage

   my humble opinion

3. deferential or servile

verb

1. to cause to become humble; humiliate

2. to lower in status

Other Word Forms

• humbleness noun
• humbler noun
• humbly adverb
• overhumble adjective
• quasi-humble adjective
• unhumble adjective
• humbling adjective
• humbled adjective
• humblingly adverb

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

Now when Mr. Khamenei pronounces on critical issues, VIPs he once humbled contradict him.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Murphy’s extravagant abode is a far cry from his very humble upbringing in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he was raised in public housing by his telephone operator mother, Lillian Laney, and police officer dad, Charles Murphy.

Read more on MarketWatch

The wide scope of the album, both in subject and sound, made it an ambitious and unique among rock releases of the time, shedding the humble irony of the grunge movement for vulnerability and exploration.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was a remarkable position for a woman whose family had humble beginnings in this country.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But Eze is such a humble guy he would never think like that anyway.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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