noble
NOH-buhl
Noble (noun) means a member of the aristocracy. Example: “In the old story, a noble rode out to greet the visiting travellers.”
noun
1
A member of the aristocracy.
"In the old story, a noble rode out to greet the visiting travellers."
"The king gave land to several nobles who had supported him."
"The nobles gathered at court to discuss the treaty."
adj
1
Having honorable, admirable moral qualities.
"Helping strangers without asking for anything back is a noble thing to do."
"It was a noble gesture to give up his seat for the elderly woman."
"She fought for a noble cause throughout her career."
2
Belonging to the aristocracy by birth or title.
"She was born into a noble house and grew up in a large castle."
"The film is about a noble lady who falls in love with a farmer."
"He came from a noble family with centuries of history."
3
In chemistry, describing an element that resists reacting with others.
"Helium is a noble gas, so it hardly ever joins with other elements."
"Platinum is another noble metal that stays shiny and resists rust."
"Gold is prized partly because it's a noble metal that doesn't tarnish."
How to use noble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes either someone of aristocratic birth, or an admirable, morally upright quality or act.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
noble cause
noble gesture
noble gas
noble birth
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like noble.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- nobles
- Comparative
- nobler, more noble
- Superlative
- noblest, most noble
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the old story, a _____ rode out to greet the visiting travellers.
Etymology
From Old French noble, from Latin nōbilis ("well-known, high-born"), related to nōscere ("to know").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
lowborn
ignoble
Related words
Rhymes for noble
See all rhymes for noble →Frequently asked questions
What does “noble” mean?
The word “noble” means a member of the aristocracy. In plain terms, describes either someone of aristocratic birth, or an admirable, morally upright quality or act.
How do you pronounce “noble”?
“Noble” is pronounced NOH-buhl (/ˈnoʊbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “noble” in a sentence?
Here is “noble” used in a sentence: “The nobles gathered at court to discuss the treaty.”
What part of speech is “noble”?
Depending on how it is used, “noble” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “noble” come from?
The word “noble” comes from Latin. From Old French noble, from Latin nōbilis ("well-known, high-born"), related to nōscere ("to know").
Is “noble” a common word?
“Noble” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “noble” have?
“Noble” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of the aristocracy.
What is the difference between "noble" and "royal"?
A noble is a member of the aristocracy, such as a duke or an earl, while royal refers specifically to the ruling monarch and their family. All royals hold high rank, but not all nobles are royalty.
What is the difference between the noun and adjective senses of "noble"?
As a noun, noble means a member of the aristocracy, while as an adjective it means having honorable, admirable moral qualities. A person can therefore be a noble by birth and noble in character, or one without the other.
Can "noble" describe an action rather than a person?
Yes. In its adjective sense, noble describes honorable, admirable qualities, so an action, cause, or intention can be called noble, as in "a noble effort." Here it praises moral goodness rather than social rank.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include noble:
