adjective

humble

HUHM-buhl

adjective

Not proud or arrogant; modest about one's own importance or abilities.

"Despite her success, she remained humble and down-to-earth."

"He gave a humble acceptance speech, thanking his whole team."

Plain, modest, or low in rank or status.

"The company grew from humble beginnings in a small garage."

"They lived in a humble cottage on the edge of the village."

verb

To make someone less proud, or to lower their status or confidence.

"The defeat humbled the once-dominant team."

"Losing his job humbled him and changed his outlook on life."

How to Use Humble

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishModest, not boastful — or as a verb, to bring someone down a peg.

Common pairings

humble beginnings stay humble humble opinion

Word Forms

humbler comparative, more humble comparative, humbled past tense, humbled past tense, humbles plural, Humbles plural, humbles singular, humbles singular, humblest superlative, most humble superlative

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Despite her success, she remained _____ and down-to-earth.

Etymology

From Old French humble, from Latin humilis ("low, lowly"), from humus ("ground, earth") — the same root behind humiliate.

Synonyms

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abased demure diffident humble-hearted low lowly meek mild modest poor resigned self-effacing

Antonyms

arrogant immodest

Related Words

small warm good bad OK beautiful dead low

Rhymes for humble

tumble bumble fumble mumble jumble rumble grumble stumble crumble

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abased demure diffident humble-hearted low lowly meek mild modest poor resigned self-effacing