adjective
Uncommon
humbled
Humbled (adjective) means Made to feel less important or proud, often after a defeat or setback. Example: “The champion was humbled by a surprise loss in the first round.”
adjective
1
Made to feel less important or proud, often after a defeat or setback.
"The champion was humbled by a surprise loss in the first round."
"He felt humbled after realizing how much he still had to learn."
2
Deeply grateful and moved, often said in response to praise or support.
"I'm truly humbled by all the kind messages I've received."
"She said she felt humbled to receive the award."
How to use humbled
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither brought down a notch by a setback, or genuinely moved and grateful for recognition.
Common mistake
In award speeches, "humbled" is often used loosely to mean simply "grateful" rather than literally "made humble."
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more humbled
- Superlative
- most humbled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The champion was _____ by a surprise loss in the first round.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for humbled
See all rhymes for humbled →Frequently asked questions
What does “humbled” mean?
The word “humbled” means made to feel less important or proud, often after a defeat or setback. In plain terms, either brought down a notch by a setback, or genuinely moved and grateful for recognition.
How do you use “humbled” in a sentence?
Here is “humbled” used in a sentence: “The champion was humbled by a surprise loss in the first round.”
What part of speech is “humbled”?
“Humbled” is an adjective.
Is “humbled” a common word?
“Humbled” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “humbled” have?
“Humbled” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made to feel less important or proud, often after a defeat or setback.
