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 assertive2: 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