adj Uncommon

meek

Meek (adj) means Quiet, humble, and unwilling to assert oneself. Example: “He gave a meek apology and slipped out of the room.”

adj

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").

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for meek

eek week seek leek geek peek reek Zeek Greek cheek creek sleek

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Frequently asked questions

What does “meek” mean?

The word “meek” means quiet, humble, and unwilling to assert oneself. In plain terms, gentle and unassertive, sometimes to the point of being too easily pushed around.

How do you pronounce “meek”?

“Meek” is pronounced meek (/mik/ in IPA).

How do you use “meek” in a sentence?

Here is “meek” used in a sentence: “He gave a meek apology and slipped out of the room.”

What part of speech is “meek”?

“Meek” is an adjective.

Where does the word “meek” come from?

The word “meek” comes from Middle English. From Middle English meke, likely borrowed from Old Norse mjúkr ("soft, meek").

Is “meek” a common word?

“Meek” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Vocabulary lists that include meek:

Words that end with K