ignoble

adjective

ig·​no·​ble ig-ˈnō-bəl 

1

: characterized by baseness, lowness, or meanness

an ignoble past

… feeling an ignoble spasm of Schadenfreude at this news.

—David Lodge

2

: of low birth or common origin : plebeian

The birth of Antonina was ignoble; she descended from a family of charioteers …

—Edward Gibbon

ignobility

ˌig-nō-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

ignobleness

ig-ˈnō-bəl-nəs 

noun

ignobly

ig-ˈnō-blē 

 also  -bə-lē

adverb

Did you know?

The word noble, in addition to referring to someone born to aristocratic ranks, can also be used to describe someone of outstanding character. That word first appeared in English in the 13th century, and its antonym, ignoble, came about two centuries later. Ignoble derives via Middle English and Middle French from the Latin prefix in- ("not") and the Old Latin gnobilis ("noble"). Originally, ignoble described someone born to common or plebeian origins, but by the late 16th century it had come to describe people of dishonorable character, or the actions performed by such people.

Synonyms of ignoble

• low
• plebeian
• humble
• vulgar
• proletarian
• lowly
• inferior
• lower-class
• low-life
• common
• unwashed
• lumpen
• poor

Choose the Right Synonym for ignoble

mean, ignoble, abject, sordid mean being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity.

mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

Examples of ignoble in a Sentence

an ignoble child who would one day grow up to be a prince among playwrights

such an ignoble act is completely unworthy of a military officer

Recent Examples on the Web

The Jets recently saw their local deliveries plummet to an ignoble 4.5 rating, which translates to a meager 350,530 Gang Green households tuning in to WBCS-2. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2025

Its central character, Chevy Chase's Clark W. Griswold, is a dopey dad trying to keep it together amid an escalating series of exasperating frustrations and ignoble temptations. —Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025

This is an ignoble plan that cites dubious science while elevating the entertainment of a handful of hunters over the revulsion of most Floridians. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2025

My focus is down to the ignoble little health annoyances that seem to cap and even eclipse a major setback. —John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin ignobilis, from in- + Old Latin gnobilis noble

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for ignoble

• coble
• dobell
• global
• lobel
• noble
• sobol
• ennoble
• immobile

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Kids Definition

ignoble

adjective

ig·​no·​ble ig-ˈnō-bəl 

1

: not of noble birth

2

: not noble or honorable

ignoble thoughts

ignoble conduct

ignobly

-blē 

adverb