ignoble
adjective
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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.
Examples of ignoble in a Sentence
Hazlitt, 13 May 2025
Rudy Giuliani, who was once considered a national hero for his leadership during 9/11, and who went down in a spray of legal and financial troubles after tying himself to Trump, arguably represents a third category, of mayors who are both ignoble and indelible.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
There’s an ignoble tradition of falsified memoirs.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025
Until then, there are the Razzies, an ignoble accolade marking the very worst movies and acting performances of the year.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignoble. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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ignoble
adjective
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