humble
2 antonyms and opposites of humble, grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Not proud or arrogant; modest about one's own importance or abilities.
Antonyms
How to use humble
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French humble, from Latin humilis ("low, lowly"), from humus ("ground, earth") — the same root behind humiliate.
Full origin of humble →Frequently asked questions
What does “humble” mean?
The word “humble” means not proud or arrogant; modest about one's own importance or abilities. In plain terms, modest, not boastful — or as a verb, to bring someone down a peg.
How do you pronounce “humble”?
“Humble” is pronounced HUHM-buhl (/ˈhʌmbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “humble” in a sentence?
Here is “humble” used in a sentence: “Despite her success, she remained humble and down-to-earth.”
What is another word for “humble”?
Words with a similar meaning to “humble” include abased, demure, diffident, humble-hearted, low and lowly.
What is the opposite of “humble”?
The opposite of “humble” — its antonyms — are arrogant and immodest.
What part of speech is “humble”?
Depending on how it is used, “humble” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “humble” come from?
The word “humble” comes from Latin. From Old French humble, from Latin humilis ("low, lowly"), from humus ("ground, earth") — the same root behind humiliate.
Is “humble” a common word?
“Humble” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between humble and modest?
Both describe someone who is not proud, but humble stresses a genuinely low view of one's own importance, while modest often means simply not boasting about achievements or abilities. Humble can also describe plain, low-status things, as in 'a humble home.'
What is the difference between humble and meek?
Humble means modest and not arrogant, whereas meek suggests being submissive, gentle, and unlikely to argue or resist. A humble person can still be confident and assertive, while a meek person tends to yield.
When should you use humble to describe a place or object?
Use humble in this way to mean plain, simple, or low in rank, as in 'a humble cottage' or 'humble beginnings.' Here it describes modest circumstances rather than a personality trait.
Is it contradictory to call yourself humble?
Because humility involves not drawing attention to one's own importance, openly declaring 'I am humble' can sound self-contradictory. Speakers often soften it to something like 'I try to stay humble.'