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humble

hum·ble

humble

 
 
pronunciation:
huhm bl
parts of speech:
adjective, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, verb), Word History
part of speech: adjective
inflections: humbler, humblest
definition 1: not prideful or pretentious; modest.
Although he was rich and powerful, he remained a humble man.
synonyms:
modest, unassuming, unpretentious
antonyms:
arrogant, conceited, egotistical, grandiose, haughty, holier-than-thou, pontifical, pretentious, proud, self-important, snooty, superior
similar words:
demure, simple
definition 2: meek and subservient; servile.
The servants were indeed humble and did not think of complaining.As a young man, he was ashamed of his father's humble attitude.
synonyms:
meek, servile, subservient
antonyms:
lofty, proud
similar words:
abject, obsequious, slavish, submissive
definition 3: not of great status, cost, elegance, or the like; having low rank.
It's a humble home, but it's comfortable.He was quite happy with humble employment and never sought a higher position.
synonyms:
modest, simple, unpretentious
antonyms:
elevated, grand, noble
similar words:
common, ignoble, lowly, ordinary, unassuming, undistinguished
definition 4: showing deference; respectful.
They were humble when face to face with their employer.
synonyms:
deferential
antonyms:
cheeky, condescending, impertinent, impudent
similar words:
obsequious, polite, respectful, submissive
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: humbles, humbling, humbled
definition 1: to bring down as by defeat or humiliation; make meek.
The one-sided loss humbled the arrogant coach.
synonyms:
humiliate, mortify
antonyms:
fortify
similar words:
bow, bring down, disgrace, embarrass, put to shame, shame
definition 2: to reduce the status or situation of.
Many aristocrats were humbled by the revolution and fell into poverty.
synonyms:
reduce
antonyms:
elevate
similar words:
abase, degrade, lower
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: humblingly (adv.), humbly (adv.), humbleness (n.), humbler (n.)
Word History
The words humble and human both go back to humus, the Latin word for "earth" or "soil."