humble

Pronunciation

• (UK) (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈhʌmbəl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive humble

Comparative more humble

Superlative most humble

1. If you are humble, you are aware of your own weaknesses and do not want or accept recognition of your good qualities or successes.
   • Antonyms: proud and arrogant

   You can tell he's very quiet and humble and he keeps to himself.

   I have a family that certainly keeps me humble.

2. (usually before a noun) A humble place or thing is ordinary and not special.
   • Synonym: plain

   In my humble opinion, we need to make these changes quickly.

   From humble beginnings, she rose to fame.

Related words

• humbly
• humility

Verb

Plain form humble

Third-person singular humbles

Past tense humbled

Past participle humbled

Present participle humbling

1. (transitive) If you humble someone, you easily beat them, even though they have a strong advantage.

   The weak will grow strong, and the mighty will be humbled.

2. (usually passive) If you are humbled, you are shown that you are not as important or good as you thought you were.

   I was also honored and deeply humbled to see the great work that my students are doing.

   I often felt humbled by my parents who left so much behind in their home country.