David LodgeEdward Gibbon
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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
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2026
The most memorable, and notorious, moment from the race was the ignoble exit of Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
That ignoble mini-streak ends this year.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 14 May 2026
But her flame was dimmed for far too long by one ignoble record: having the longest streak in Daytime Emmys history of nominations without a win.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Ignoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignoble. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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ignoble
adjective
