adjective
-
patient, long-suffering, or submissive in disposition or nature; humble
-
spineless or spiritless; compliant
-
an obsolete word for gentle
Usage
What does meek mean? When used in a positive way, meek describes someone who shows patient restraint. When used negatively, it means overly submissive.The positive sense of meek implies that someone is able to remain calm and subdued even when being provoked. Its negative use is perhaps more common, and is intended to indicate that someone is being too passive. The word meek is often associated with Christian virtues due to its use in a well-known Bible passage.Example: I know you’re naturally reserved, but you can’t be so meek during job interviews.
Related Words
See gentle.
Other Word Forms
- meekly adverb
- meekness noun
- overmeek adjective
Etymology
Origin of meek
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English meke, meoc, from Old Norse mjūkr “soft, mild, meek”
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.
BBC Sport reported on Friday night that Dyche was under increasing pressure at the City Ground following the team's meek performance in the 3-1 loss at Leeds.
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
There’s a single-panel comic by the artist Paul Noth that pokes fun at researchers’ meek attempts.
From Slate • Jan. 30, 2026
The meek Eagles sputtered and stalled, brainlessly frittering a time out that might have extended the game.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026
In the aftermath, England was slammed as "brainless" and even "arrogant" by former greats for their meek performance after putting themselves in a strong position to win.
From Barron's • Nov. 29, 2025
At least these Earth cats were not all meek morons!
From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
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.
