humility
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of humility
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English humilite, from Latin humilitās; see humble, -ty 2
Compare meaning
How does humility compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Humility is the quality of being humble. If you meet one of your heroes and feel nervous and in awe of her, you are experiencing humility. Humility comes from the Latin word humilis, which literally means "low." If you feel humility in front of someone, you feel small in the scheme of things — that you are just a simple, insignificant person. Someone who spends his life taking care of others shows humility. Although it's related to humiliation (which makes you feel low in a bad way), humility is usually used to talk about a lack of ego.
Vocabulary lists containing humility
Tuesdays with Morrie
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The Old Man and the Sea
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Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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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.
John Adams’ “Harmonium” operates on questioning, shifting moods of introspection, humility and awe.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
Neither movie does anything particularly interesting with its characters, but what’s most frustrating is that the humility Lightning McQueen learns in the first film is essentially tossed out the window.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
Economists shouldn’t despair, but call for humility and a better understanding of history.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
In other words, investors need to be “long humility and short hubris,” Hartnett said.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026
“Yes, Father, I keep my eyes guarded,” I said, pretending humility.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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.
