definitions

humble

[ huhm-buhl, uhm- ]
/ ˈhʌm bəl, ˈʌm- /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR humble ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, hum·bler, hum·blest.

verb (used with object), hum·bled, hum·bling.

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RELATED WORDS

diffidence, demureness, chastity, reticence, quietness, humility, delicacy, innocence, constraint, propriety, inhibition, lowliness, purity, decency, meekness, celibacy, coyness, reserve, discreetness, prudery

Nearby words

humash, humayun, humber, humberside, humbert i, humble, humble pie, humble plant, humblebee, humblebrag, humboldt

Origin of humble

1200–50; Middle English (h)umble < Old French < Latin humilis lowly, insignificant, on the ground. See humus, -ile

Related forms

Synonym study

7. Humble, degrade, humiliate suggest lowering or causing to seem lower. To humble is to bring down the pride of another or to reduce him or her 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for humbleness

British Dictionary definitions for humbleness

humble

/ (ˈhʌmbəl) /

adjective

conscious of one's failings
unpretentious; lowlya humble cottage; my humble opinion
deferential or servile

verb (tr)

to cause to become humble; humiliate
to lower in status

Derived Forms

Word Origin for humble

C13: from Old French, from Latin humilis low, from humus the ground
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with humbleness

humble

see eat crow (humble pie).

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.