ignoble
Americanadjective
-
of low character, aims, etc.; mean; base.
his ignoble purposes.
- Synonyms:
- contemptible, ignominious, dishonorable, degraded
- Antonyms:
- honorable
-
of low grade or quality; inferior.
- Antonyms:
- superior
-
not noble; of humble descent or rank.
-
Falconry. noting any hawk with short wings that chases or rakes after the quarry.
adjective
-
dishonourable; base; despicable
-
of low birth or origins; humble; common
-
of low quality; inferior
-
falconry
-
designating short-winged hawks that capture their quarry by swiftness and adroitness of flight Compare noble
-
designating quarry which is inferior or unworthy of pursuit by a particular species of hawk or falcon
-
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of ignoble
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin ignōbilis unknown, inglorious, equivalent to in- in- 3 + OL gnōbilis ( Latin nōbilis ) noble
Explanation
Ignoble means not noble, but for those of us that don’t live in feudal England and don’t worry about lords or peasants, ignoble just means base, or low, like that dude in Biology who’s always telling fart jokes. Ignoble means low, common, or humble, but we tend to use it to describe the lows of human nature, rather than economically humble people or places. So a picturesquely crumbing rustic cottage or a cool old diner is not ignoble, but perhaps a sketchy roadside bar is. Those that think that the human mind is the treasure of the world disdain ignoble animals like pigs or dogs––after all, they can’t compose lovely poems like we can.
Vocabulary lists containing ignoble
"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Even More Negative Words to Describe a Person
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Once and Future King
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
A Striver Comes to an Ignoble End Manon The soprano Anna Netrebko sings the title role of this work in a new production at the Metropolitan Opera.
From New York Times • Mar. 27, 2012
Paul Newman, the well-known American novelist, is also about to be laureled, but he really deserves an Ignoble Prize.
From Time Magazine Archive
Fat fall pumpkins sat in windows as late-night shoppers slipped in and out of Ignoble Incant Imporium or the Wicked Warehouse of Wonders or into the open-air Mischief Mart full of trinkets offering dark promises.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Ignoble conclusion to a tender affair; but not so devoid of tragicality as would seem.
From At Last by Harland, Marion
Ignoble David! hast thou none to grieve But silly Ladies with thy threatening arms?
From King Edward III by Shakespeare (spurious and doubtful works)
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.
