humble

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Not acting as though you are more important or talented than other people.

   Grammar: Can describe a person or their manner; use humbler/humblest only when comparison is needed.

   Patterns

   • a humble person
   • remain/stay humble
   • humble about something

   Despite the award, she remained humble and thanked her team.

   He is humble about his success and rarely mentions it.

   A humble leader listens before speaking.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Simple or ordinary rather than grand or expensive.

   Grammar: Often before a noun for homes, beginnings, meals, or origins; it suggests modesty, not low quality.

   Patterns

   • humble beginnings
   • a humble home/meal
   • of humble origin

   The chef grew up in a small town with humble beginnings.

   They shared a humble meal of bread and soup.

   The museum began in a humble room above a shop.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To make someone feel less proud or more aware of their limits.

   Grammar: Takes a person as object: the loss humbled him; the adjective describes the resulting quality.

   Patterns

   • humble someone
   • be humbled by something
   • humble yourself

   The difficult race humbled even experienced runners.

   I was humbled by the kindness of strangers.

   The mistake humbled him enough to ask for help.

Word forms

Common combinations

humble beginnings

The company rose from humble beginnings in a garage.

remain humble

Fans admire athletes who remain humble after winning.

humble opinion

In my humble opinion, the plan needs more time.

humble pie

After the error, he had to eat humble pie and apologize.

Synonyms and how they differ

modest

Modest means not boastful and is very common; humble can also mean modest in rank or origins.

unassuming

Unassuming describes a quiet manner that does not seek attention; humble adds a sense of honest self-assessment.

meek

Meek suggests overly gentle or submissive; humble can be confident without being arrogant.

Opposites

Word family

humbly adverb

In a modest way, without claiming importance.

humbleness noun

The quality of being humble.

humility noun

The state of having a modest view of one's own importance.

humbling adjective

Making someone feel less important or deeply respectful.

Commonly confused: humble or humiliate?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “humble”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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