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View synonyms for

humble

[ huhm-buhl, uhm- ]

adjective

humbler, humblest.
  1. not proud or arrogant; modest:

    Though very successful, she remained humble.

    Synonyms:

    Antonyms:

  2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.:

    In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly:

    of humble origin;

    a humble home.

    Synonyms: , , ,

    Antonyms: ,

  4. courteously respectful:

    In my humble opinion you are wrong.

    Synonyms:

    Antonyms: ,

  5. low in height, level, etc.; small in size:

    a humble member of the galaxy.



verb (used with object)

humbled, humbling.
  1. to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms: ,

  2. to destroy the independence, power, or will of.

    Synonyms: , ,

  3. to make meek:

    to humble one's heart.

humble

/ ˈʌə /

adjective

  1. conscious of one's failings
  2. unpretentious; lowly

    a humble cottage

    my humble opinion

  3. deferential or servile
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to cause to become humble; humiliate
  2. to lower in status
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈܳԱ, noun
  • ˈܳ, noun
  • ˈܳԲ, adjective
  • ˈܳ, adverb
  • ˈܳ, adjective
  • ˈܳԲly, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ܳ··Ա noun
  • ܳ· noun
  • ܳ· adverb
  • ··ܳ· adjective
  • ܲ·-ܳ· adjective
  • ܲ·ܳ· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of humble1

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English (h)umble, from Old French, from Latin humilis “lowly, insignificant, on the ground”; humus, -ile
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Word History and Origins

Origin of humble1

C13: from Old French, from Latin humilis low, from humus the ground
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Idioms and Phrases

see eat crow (humble pie) .
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Synonym Study

Humble, degrade, humiliate suggest lowering or causing to seem lower. To humble is to bring down the pride of another or to reduce them to a state of abasement: to humble an arrogant enemy. To degrade is to demote in rank or standing, or to reduce to a low level in dignity: to degrade an officer; to degrade oneself by lying. To humiliate is to make others feel or appear inadequate or unworthy, especially in some public setting: to humiliate a sensitive person.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It can be humble or elevated, but it’s always comforting.

From

Lynn DeGrio, another of Johnson's aunts, spoke at the event on behalf of the family, describing him as "humble, modest and down to earth".

From

Take the early 17th century, when the humble salad was unexpectedly sweet — before French haute cuisine banished sugar firmly to the dessert course.

From

Zheng is humble in sharing the strides she’s made within the omakase industry.

From

In the 20 years since its creation, YouTube has grown from humble beginnings to billions of videos being watched every day - but can posting videos on the platform offer a viable career?

From

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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.

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Humbert Ihumble abode