adjective
ignoble
ihg-NOH-buhl
Ignoble (adjective) means lacking honour or moral worth; shameful or unworthy of respect. Example: “He resigned in an ignoble attempt to avoid the scandal entirely.”
adjective
1
Lacking honour or moral worth; shameful or unworthy of respect.
"He resigned in an ignoble attempt to avoid the scandal entirely."
"It was an ignoble way to treat someone who had trusted him."
How to use ignoble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe opposite of noble — behaviour or character that is base, shabby, or beneath respect.
Common mistake
Not related to "ignore" — the two words just happen to look similar.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
ignoble end
ignoble defeat
ignoble retreat
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- ignobles
- Past tense
- ignobled
- Comparative
- ignobler
- Superlative
- ignoblest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He resigned in an _____ attempt to avoid the scandal entirely.
Etymology
From Middle French ignoble, from Latin ignobilis — "not" (in-) + "noble" (nobilis).
Related words
Rhymes for ignoble
See all rhymes for ignoble →Frequently asked questions
What does “ignoble” mean?
The word “ignoble” means lacking honour or moral worth; shameful or unworthy of respect. In plain terms, the opposite of noble — behaviour or character that is base, shabby, or beneath respect.
How do you pronounce “ignoble”?
“Ignoble” is pronounced ihg-NOH-buhl (/ɪɡˈnoʊbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “ignoble” in a sentence?
Here is “ignoble” used in a sentence: “He resigned in an ignoble attempt to avoid the scandal entirely.”
What is another word for “ignoble”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ignoble” include common, plebeian and vulgar.
What is the opposite of “ignoble”?
The opposite of “ignoble” — its antonyms — are noble and honorable.
What part of speech is “ignoble”?
“Ignoble” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ignoble” come from?
The word “ignoble” comes from Latin. From Middle French ignoble, from Latin ignobilis — "not" (in-) + "noble" (nobilis).
