adj
Uncommon
meek
meek
Meek (adj) means Quiet, humble, and unwilling to assert oneself. Example: “He gave a meek apology and slipped out of the room.”
adj
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- meeks
- Past tense
- meeked
- Comparative
- meeker
- Superlative
- meekest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave a _____ apology and slipped out of the room.
Etymology
From Middle English meke, likely borrowed from Old Norse mjúkr ("soft, meek").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for meek
See all rhymes for meek →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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