noble
Noble (noun) means a member of the aristocracy. Example: “The nobles gathered at court to discuss the treaty.”
How to use noble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes either someone of aristocratic birth, or an admirable, morally upright quality or act.
Word forms
nobler comparative, more noble comparative, nobles plural, noblest superlative, most noble superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ gathered at court to discuss the treaty.
Etymology
From Old French noble, from Latin nōbilis ("well-known, high-born"), related to nōscere ("to know").
Synonyms
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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.
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