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adj

meek

meek
adj
1
Quiet, humble, and unwilling to assert oneself.
"He gave a meek apology and slipped out of the room."
"She was meek as a child but grew into a confident leader."

How to Use Meek

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGentle and unassertive, sometimes to the point of being too easily pushed around.

Common mistake

Not always negative — in phrases like "the meek shall inherit the earth," it carries a positive, virtuous sense of humility rather than weakness.

Common pairings
meek and mild meek voice meek submission

Word Forms

meeker comparative, meeked past tense, meeks singular, meekest superlative

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He gave a _____ apology and slipped out of the room.

Etymology

From Middle English meke, likely borrowed from Old Norse mjúkr ("soft, meek").

Rhymes for meek

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial