noble

[noh-buhl]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of noble¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of noble¹

C13: via Old French from Latin nōbilis, originally, capable of being known, hence well-known, noble, from noscere to know

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Although they had already sought to mythologize in the past the supposedly noble sacrifice of Nazi activists killed in street fighting, Wessel was the first to be elevated to supreme martyr status.

From Salon

Boycotts, while noble, remain a blunt instrument unless tied to larger structural pressure.

From Salon

It’s a testament to the production that she’s not only the most vivid character on stage but also the most noble.

From Los Angeles Times

He added that DiCaprio "astounds – frazzled and absurd yet also sweet and even noble, he evokes Jack Nicholson in his prime".

From BBC

“Even if these things stop tomorrow, you’ve got a pretty demoralized physician and scientific workforce. What this administration has done has given being a scientist an unsavory element — it’s no longer a noble profession.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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