humble

adjective

Save Word

hum·ble | \ ˈhəm-bəl also chiefly Southern ˈəm-

humbler\ ˈhəm-b(ə-)lər

\; humblest\ ˈhəm-b(ə-)ləst

Definition of humble

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive

2 : reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission a humble apology

3a : ranking low in a hierarchy or scale : insignificant, unpretentious

b : not costly or luxurious a humble contraption

humble

verb

hum·ble | \ ˈhəm-bəl also chiefly Southern ˈəm-

humbled; humbling\ ˈhəm-b(ə-)liŋ

Definition of humble (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to make (someone) humble (see humble entry 1) in spirit or manner

2 : to destroy the power, independence, or prestige of

Other Words from humble Synonyms & Antonyms Humility: Its Use and Meaning More Example Sentences Learn More about humble

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Humility: Its Use and Meaning

Humility means “the state of being humble.” Both it and humble have their origin in the Latin word humilis, meaning "low."

Humble can be used to describe what is ranked low by others, as in "persons of humble origins." People also use the word of themselves and things associated with themselves; if you describe yourself as "but a humble editor" or refer to your home as your "humble abode," you are saying that neither you nor your home is very impressive.

Like this latter use of humble, the kind of lowness expressed in the word humility is typically one chosen by oneself. Here are some examples of humility in use:

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
— Proverbs 11:2
A sudden humility descended upon the King. He felt, as so many men were to feel in similar circumstances in ages to come, as though he were a child looking eagerly for guidance to an all-wise master—a child, moreover, handicapped by water on the brain, feet three sizes too large for him, and hands consisting mainly of thumbs.
— P. G. Wodehouse, The Clicking of Cuthbert, 1922
Eating grits and fatback for breakfast and washing up every morning in cold water from a hydrant in the backyard helped one learn humility and humanity.
— Julius Lester, Falling Pieces of Broken Sky, 1990
I realize now that she had an awareness of the nature of the order of life, and of the necessity of living with and respecting that order. With this respect comes a necessary humility that we, with our early-21st-century chutzpah, lack at our peril.
— Bill Joy, Wired, April 2000
Who has not gazed at the night sky, mouth slightly agape? The experience is so common, its effects so uniform, that a standard vocabulary has evolved to describe it. Invariably we speak of the profound humility we feel before the enormity of the universe. We are as bits of dust in a spectacle whose scope beggars the imagination, whose secrets make a mockery of reason.
— Edwin Dobb, Harper's, February 1995
If leadership has a secret sauce, it may well be humility. A humble boss understands that there are things he doesn't know. He listens: not only to the other bigwigs in Davos, but also to the kind of people who don't get invited, such as his customers.
—The Economist, 26 Jan. 2013

For many, the lowness in both humility and humble is something worth cultivating.

Examples of humble in a Sentence

Adjective Humble though it may be, and about as glamorous as a galosh, it is a fish that has shaped the political and social history of Europe like no other, with the possible exception of cod. — R. W. Apple, Jr., New York Times, 30 Oct. 2002 She would not come closer to me, as much as I thought she wished to, hungering not for anything like love but for plain, humble succor. — Chang-rae Lee, A Gesture Life, 1999 Women are the organizing soft-centered socialists, the nice people, the sugar-and-spice lot, identifying with the poor and humble; men are snips and snails and puppy-dog tails, and rampant, selfish, greedy capitalists. — Fay Weldon, Harper's, May 1998 Despite all his achievements, he has remained humble. He is very humble about his achievements. She is too humble to let praise go to her head. Please accept my humble apologies. Her humble suggestion is that we review the data more carefully. He comes from a humble background. She's not ashamed of her humble beginnings. Verb Cuba's reliance on tourism is a somewhat humbling turn for the revolution, which has long prided itself on producing topflight doctors and teachers—not concierges. — Tim Padgett, Time, 22 Dec. 2003 … audiences loved to see villains punished and arrogant young men humbled, they did not want to fidget and squirm through mea culpas before the final scene. — Elaine Showalter, Civilization, April/May 1999 It frightened and humbled him but also made him feel darkly charmed. — Don DeLillo, Mao II, 1991 Her success has humbled her critics. Last year's champion was humbled by an unknown newcomer.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Carl Reiner, who died Monday at the age of 98, was a humble powerhouse of the lively arts — actor, screenwriter, producer, director, novelist, playwright, tweeter, double-act comedian, witness to his times. — Los Angeles Times, "Appreciation: Carl Reiner started out a sidekick. His genius made him ‘a very familiar stranger’," 30 June 2020 To the gracious and humble Gehrig, there was only one Babe Ruth. — Olive Fellows, The Christian Science Monitor, "Sports books that reveal character and grit," 29 June 2020 The synagogue was always a humble one, with the congregation initially renting space at a church near Central and Northern avenues to host its services. — Brieanna J. Frank, The Arizona Republic, "'There is a sadness, but there's also a joy': Phoenix synagogue disbanding after 12 years," 28 June 2020 The best evidence of this is unboxing videos, the sacred communion between the humble individual box opener and the higher powers of manufacturing. — Paul Ford, Wired, "The Infinite Loop of Supply Chains," 23 June 2020 Horton remains humble about his role in helping save his teammate’s life. — Bill Dow, Detroit Free Press, "The time Detroit Tigers' Willie Horton saved Al Kaline's life after an outfield collision," 20 June 2020 Gamers of a certain age will always have a special place in their hearts for the humble video game cartridge. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Evercade’s retro portable made me fall out of love with game cartridges," 19 June 2020 It shouldn't even be called a vitamin, in my humble opinion. — The Atlantic, "Listen: The Empty Promise of Vitamins," 17 June 2020 In the last 20 years or so, scientists have uncovered much about this food made by the humble bee. — Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, "Fact check: A mix of honey and cinnamon may have some health benefits, more studies needed," 15 June 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Disney, worth nearly $200 billion, has been similarly humbled. — Julia Horowitz, CNN, "Some companies are part of the coronavirus economy. The rest are in trouble," 12 May 2020 Everyone at Ars is truly humbled by your support this week! — Ken Fisher, Ars Technica, "You asked, we answered: Free wallpapers, plus a subscription update!," 2 Apr. 2020 Bjork, 23, has been humbled by two years of shoulder injuries, his days as a Notre Dame star seeming long ago. — BostonGlobe.com, "began to raise his stick, thinking he had put the Bruins ahead by snapping home a one-timer. When he saw Islanders netminder," 21 Dec. 2019 Last October, Wyoming humbled the Rams in Fort Collins with a true freshman signal-caller. — Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, "Keeler: Mike Bobo just became the Clay Helton of the Mountain West Conference," 23 Nov. 2019 But the vote Monday humbled Trudeau — and significantly diminished not only his sheen but also his power. — David Shribman, Los Angeles Times, "Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau loses his sheen — and his majority," 22 Oct. 2019 Watkins was both humbled and satisfied when his Olympians beat Carberry’s Jaguars 14-4 (Southwestern scored on two safeties) in this year’s season opener. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Double century marks reached for Southwestern coach Ed Carberry," 27 Sep. 2019 The event may have been humbling for O’Rourke, with a turnout of about 120 and a couple of dozen empty folding chairs. — latimes.com, "In Miami, the Democratic debate circus begins well before the candidates take the stage," 26 June 2019 For the most part, folks were thankful and humbled. — Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, "In flying over Michigan, Blue Angels send jet fuel through our souls," 12 May 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'humble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.