humble
HUHM-buhl
Humble (adjective) means not proud or arrogant; modest about one's own importance or abilities. Example: “It takes a humble person to admit that they were wrong.”
adjective
1
Not proud or arrogant; modest about one's own importance or abilities.
"It takes a humble person to admit that they were wrong."
"Despite her success, she remained humble and down-to-earth."
"He gave a humble acceptance speech, thanking his whole team."
2
Plain, modest, or low in rank or status.
"She started her career in a humble job sweeping floors at the factory."
"The company grew from humble beginnings in a small garage."
"They lived in a humble cottage on the edge of the village."
verb
1
To make someone less proud, or to lower their status or confidence.
"The long climb humbled the confident young hikers."
"The defeat humbled the once-dominant team."
"Losing his job humbled him and changed his outlook on life."
How to use humble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishModest, not boastful — or as a verb, to bring someone down a peg.
Common pairings
humble beginnings
stay humble
humble opinion
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Word forms
- Plural
- humbles
- Third person singular
- humbles
- Past tense
- humbled
- Comparative
- humbler, more humble
- Superlative
- humblest, most humble
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It takes a _____ person to admit that they were wrong.
Etymology
From Old French humble, from Latin humilis ("low, lowly"), from humus ("ground, earth") — the same root behind humiliate.
Synonyms
View more →
unassuming
down-to-earth
unostentatious
mortify
chagrin
abase
humiliate
abased
demure
diffident
humble-hearted
low
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for humble
See all rhymes for 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.'
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