noble

American  

[noh-buhl] / ˈnoʊ bəl /

adjective

nobler, noblest

1. distinguished by rank or title.

2. pertaining to persons so distinguished.

3. of, belonging to, or constituting a hereditary class that has special social or political status in a country or state; of or pertaining to the aristocracy.

   Synonyms:

   blue-blooded, patrician, aristocratic, highborn

   Antonyms:

   bourgeois, middle-class, working-class, lower-class, common, lowborn, baseborn

4. of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence.

   a noble thought.

   Synonyms:

   worthy, estimable, honorable, magnanimous, principled, high-minded, elevated, lofty, meritorious

   Antonyms:

   common, vulgar, base, ignoble

5. admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution, or composition.

   a noble poem.

   Synonyms:

   august, dignified, grand

   Antonyms:

   unrespected, disreputable, undignified

6. very impressive or imposing in appearance.

   a noble monument.

   Synonyms:

   imperial, regal, impressive, splendid, imposing, magnificent, stately, grand, majestic, lordly

   Antonyms:

   ordinary, plain, modest, paltry, mean, insignificant

7. of an admirably high quality; notably superior; excellent

   Synonyms:

   exceptional, exemplary, outstanding, notable, noteworthy

   Antonyms:

   unexceptional, ordinary, inferior

8. famous; illustrious; renowned.

   Synonyms:

   distinguished, celebrated, famed

   Antonyms:

   obscure, unknown, remarkable

9. Chemistry. inert; chemically inactive.

10. Falconry. (of a hawk) having excellent qualities or abilities.

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noun

1. a person of noble birth or rank; nobleman or noblewoman.

   Synonyms:

   patrician, blue blood, aristocrat, peer

   Antonyms:

   peasant, serf, commoner

2. a former gold coin of England, first issued in 1346 by Edward III, equal to half a mark or 6s. 8d., replaced in 1464 under Edward IV by the rose noble.

3. (in Britain) a peer.

noble British  

/ ˈnəʊbəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a hereditary class with special social or political status, often derived from a feudal period

2. of or characterized by high moral qualities; magnanimous

   a noble deed

3. having dignity or eminence; illustrious

4. grand or imposing; magnificent

   a noble avenue of trees

5. of superior quality or kind; excellent

   a noble strain of horses

6. chem

   1. (of certain elements) chemically unreactive

   2. (of certain metals, esp copper, silver, and gold) resisting oxidation

7. falconry

   1. designating long-winged falcons that capture their quarry by stooping on it from above Compare ignoble

   2. designating the type of quarry appropriate to a particular species of falcon

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noun

1. a person belonging to a privileged social or political class whose status is usually indicated by a title conferred by sovereign authority or descent

2. (in the British Isles) a person holding the title of duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron, or a feminine equivalent

3. a former Brit gold coin having the value of one third of a pound

Related Words

Noble, high-minded, magnanimous agree in referring to lofty principles and loftiness of mind or spirit. Noble implies a loftiness of character or spirit that scorns the petty, mean, base, or dishonorable: a noble deed. High-minded implies having elevated principles and consistently adhering to them: a high-minded pursuit of legal reforms. Magnanimous suggests greatness of mind or soul, especially as manifested in generosity or in overlooking injuries: magnanimous toward his former enemies.

Other Word Forms

• nobleness noun
• nobly adverb
• nonnoble adjective
• overnoble adjective
• overnobleness noun
• overnobly adverb
• pseudonoble adjective

Etymology

Origin of noble

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin (g)nōbilis “notable, of high rank,” equivalent to (g)nō-, root of (g)nōscere “to get to know, find out” + -bilis adjective suffix; know ¹, -ble

Explanation

A noble is a titled peer of the realm or an aristocrat. As an adjective, noble describes someone with high or elevated character, or who is impressive in appearance. From feudal times, we have known nobles as the heirs to thrones or as the holders of aristocratic title. British aristocracy, for example, produces many people of various noble titles, including dukes, earls, princes, kings, and queens. As various royal histories tell us, however, many of these nobles in title weren't quite so noble in character.

Example Sentences

I even had aspirations to become a priest, because I find few things more noble than dedicating your life to helping others.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Experts are blaming the trend on a sharp increase in the noble false widow spider, which has been described as "the most dangerous spider breeding in Britain".

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

He even comes to forgive Soames, granting him a noble death, in defense of a beloved woman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

"She focuses a lot on international challenges, which is very noble, but it's not going to help you win national elections," Svane said.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

“You have a noble hand, boy! I see danger, and love, and wonders. Dark places, and great glories.”

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Related Words

• benevolent
• brilliant
• charitable
• dignified
• distinguished
• extraordinary
• gracious
• grand
• great
• high-minded
• honorable
• humane
• imposing
• lofty
• magnificent
• splendid
• virtuous
• worthy