noun
Uncommon
humility
hyoo-MIH-lih-tee
Humility (noun) means the quality of being modest and not thinking too highly of yourself. Example: “She accepted the award with humility, thanking her whole team.”
noun
1
The quality of being modest and not thinking too highly of yourself.
"She accepted the award with humility, thanking her whole team."
"True leaders show humility even after big wins."
"He had the humility to admit he did not know the answer."
How to use humility
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStaying modest instead of boasting, even when you have reason to be proud.
Common mistake
Humility is not the same as low self-esteem — it means not needing to show off, not feeling worthless.
Common pairings
show humility
with humility
humility and grace
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Word forms
- Plural
- humilities
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She accepted the award with _____, thanking her whole team.
Etymology
From Old French umilité, from Latin humilitas ("lowness"), from humilis ("low, humble") — the same root as humble.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for humility
See all rhymes for humility →Frequently asked questions
What does “humility” mean?
The word “humility” means the quality of being modest and not thinking too highly of yourself. In plain terms, staying modest instead of boasting, even when you have reason to be proud.
How do you pronounce “humility”?
“Humility” is pronounced hyoo-MIH-lih-tee (/hjuːˈmɪlɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “humility” in a sentence?
Here is “humility” used in a sentence: “She accepted the award with humility, thanking her whole team.”
What part of speech is “humility”?
“Humility” is a noun.
Where does the word “humility” come from?
The word “humility” comes from Latin. From Old French umilité, from Latin humilitas ("lowness"), from humilis ("low, humble") — the same root as humble.
Is “humility” a common word?
“Humility” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between humility and modesty?
Humility is the quality of being modest and not thinking too highly of yourself, so the two words overlap closely in meaning. Modesty is sometimes used more narrowly for downplaying one's achievements, while humility can describe a broader outlook or character trait.
Is humility the opposite of pride?
Humility, defined as not thinking too highly of yourself, is generally considered the opposite of excessive pride or arrogance, which involves an inflated sense of one's own importance. However, humility does not require having no self-respect, just avoiding an exaggerated view of oneself.
Why is humility often considered a virtue?
Humility is valued as a virtue because it reflects a modest, grounded view of oneself rather than arrogance or self-importance, which many cultures and belief systems associate with wisdom and good character. This quality is often linked to being open to learning and treating others fairly.
