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Humble Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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humble

[ˈhʌmb(ə)l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

personality trait

Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.

Synonyms

down-to-earth, modest, unpretentious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
humble

Best used when describing someone who does not boast about their achievements, often showing respect towards others.

  • She remained humble despite her incredible success
  • The humble man always helped his neighbors
modest

Often used to describe someone who does not brag about their capabilities or achievements, and sometimes about someone who prefers simplicity in dress or lifestyle.

  • He gave a modest speech about his accomplishments
  • They live in a modest home, but they are very happy
unpretentious

Refers to someone or something that is simple and does not try to be more impressive than it really is. This word emphasizes simplicity and genuineness.

  • The restaurant has unpretentious decor but serves excellent food
  • She wore an unpretentious dress to the party
down-to-earth

Describes a person who is practical, realistic, and unpretentious. Commonly used to highlight someone's straightforward and easy-going nature.

  • Her down-to-earth advice was exactly what I needed
  • He's a very down-to-earth person despite his wealth

Examples of usage

  • She was humble about her achievements.
  • He was known for his humble attitude towards others.
Context #2 | Verb

action

Lower (someone) in dignity or importance.

Synonyms

abase, degrade, humiliate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
humble

As it duplicates the first entry, the same context and examples apply. Often seen in a positive light, showing respect for others and a lack of arrogance.

  • She remained humble despite all her achievements
  • He is a humble person who never brags about his successes
humiliate

Used when someone causes another person to feel ashamed or foolish, usually in public. This word is strongly negative.

  • She was humiliated in front of the entire class
  • They humiliated him by laughing at his mistake
degrade

Implies a process of lowering someone's status or quality, often through mistreatment or disrespect. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • They degraded him by making him perform menial tasks
  • The degrading comments made her feel worthless
abase

A more formal term used to describe the act of lowering someone's dignity, often in the context of self-abasement. It carries a negative connotation.

  • She refused to abase herself by begging for the job
  • He abased himself before his superiors

Examples of usage

  • She humbled herself and apologized for her mistake.
  • The defeat humbled the once arrogant team.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • Many philosophical traditions, including Stoicism and Buddhism, emphasize humility as a virtue leading to deeper wisdom.
  • In Christian teachings, humility is seen as essential for spiritual growth and connection with others.
  • Ancient philosophers believed that recognizing one's limitations fosters true understanding of oneself.

Cultural Context

  • In various cultures, humility is celebrated – for example, in Japan, humility is a way to show respect and harmony in relationships.
  • The phrase 'stay humble' is a common reminder in many communities to encourage modesty after success.
  • Social media culture often grapples with authenticity, where being humble is increasingly valued amidst self-promotion.

Literature

  • Many classic literary heroes embody humility, often contrasting with prideful characters to highlight moral lessons.
  • Shakespeare frequently used humble characters to comically critique arrogance through witty dialogues.
  • In modern literature, humble protagonists often undergo growth and personal discovery, teaching lessons on self-acceptance.

Psychology

  • Studies indicate that humble individuals are more likely to form deep, meaningful relationships due to their empathy and openness.
  • Humility is linked to increased resilience, as humble people often cope better with failures and criticism.
  • Psychologists propose that fostering humility can improve mental health by reducing anxiety linked to self-esteem.

Origin of 'humble'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'humilis,' meaning low or of lowly origin, indicating a state of being grounded.
  • Related words like 'humility' and 'humus' share roots, showing a common theme of being down-to-earth.
  • In many languages, the concept of being humble is linked to respect and simplicity.

The word 'humble' originated from the Latin word 'humilis' which means low or lowly. It has been used in English since the 13th century. The concept of humility and modesty has been valued in various cultures and religions throughout history, leading to the importance of the word 'humble' in describing a virtuous character trait.

See also: hum, human, humid, humor, humour.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,921, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.