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
Among the subchapters are "Humbling the Opposition," "The Uselessness of Menus," "Addressing Flunkies," and "Securing Advantageous Tables."
From 100 New Yorkers of the 1970s by Millard, Max
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.
