humbly
Americanadverb
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in a way that is not proud or arrogant; modestly.
He humbly accepted the award on behalf of his friends and colleagues.
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in a way that shows insignificance, inferiority, or subservience.
I made my suggestions humbly, realizing the vast experience of the others in the room.
-
in a respectfully courteous way.
I humbly request that you give us some time to discuss this privately.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of humbly
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.
“I humbly ask you to please add my middle initial so I never get confused with the singer.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
My relationship with Omsk began humbly: I was one of seven American artists who traveled there in November 1990 to produce my first musical, “Charlie’s Oasis,” or “Charlie-Bar” as it was called in Russian.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
For your evening enjoyment, and to help get you in the spirit of the holiday weekend, I’d humbly suggest:
From Slate ● Jul. 2, 2026
Donnelly said he then said: "Lewis, I humbly apologise...It's not often my phone takes calls from a seven time world champion."
From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2026
“I did not know I was ruining the taste,” Ranofer said humbly.
From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
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.
