Main Entry: ¹hum·ble

Pronunciation: \ˈhəm-bəl also chiefly Southern ˈəm-\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): hum·bler \-b(ə-)lər\; hum·blest \-b(ə-)ləst\

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin humilis low, humble, from humus earth; akin to Greek chthōn earth, chamai on the ground

Date: 13th century

1 : not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive
2 : reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission <a humble apology>
3 a : ranking low in a hierarchy or scale : insignificant, unpretentious b : not costly or luxurious <a humble contraption>

— hum·ble·ness \-bəl-nəs\ noun

— hum·bly \-blē\ adverb