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.
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in a respectfully courteous way.
I humbly request that you give us some time to discuss this privately.
Other Word Forms
Derived 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.
Encouraging officials to vote their minds is an essential element of any plan to reassure voters that the Fed is acting deliberately and humbly.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
"I really want to celebrate the fact that there are so many women around the world who are working so humbly on domestic skills ... like sewing, hand knitting," she said.
From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026
“But God’s granted us this humbly, granted us this win so humbly. I’ve moved past. I’m just glad that my group, my team, that we’re going to the Super Bowl.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026
“I cannot continue my reelection campaign,” Adams humbly submitted on camera as he sat next to a large headshot of his late mother, with Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” playing in the background.
From Slate • Sep. 29, 2025
“Might I humbly suggest, Mrs. Chiltington, that your considerable concern might be better spent on your son instead of my library? Now then, Dr. Zinchenko, I believe we have a very important matter to discuss?”
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
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.
