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Definitions

humble

[huhm-buhl, uhm-] / ˈhʌm bəl, ˈʌm- /
ADJECTIVE
meek, unassuming
Synonyms
STRONGEST
courteous gentle modest ordinary polite quiet respectful self-effacing sheepish shy simple soft-spoken tentative timid unpretentious
STRONG
blushing content obliging reserved retiring sedate withdrawn
WEAK
apprehensive backward bashful biddable deferential demure diffident docile fearful hesitant lowly manageable mild obsequious reverential self-conscious servile standoffish submissive subservient supplicatory timorous tractable unambitious unobtrusive unostentatious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bold brave complex complicated discourteous extraordinary extroverted impolite intricate loud rude troubled unashamed uncivil unmannerly unrefined
STRONG
friendly outgoing sociable upset
WEAK
assertive boasting conceited egotistical insolent luxurious pretentious proud rich showy superior
ADJECTIVE
poor, inferior
Synonyms
STRONGEST
modest obscure ordinary simple unassuming unpretentious
STRONG
base low mean rough unfit
WEAK
beggarly common commonplace contemptible humdrum ignoble inglorious insignificant little low-born low-ranking lowly meager measly menial miserable paltry petty pitiful plebeian proletarian puny scrubby seemly servile severe shabby small sordid trivial uncouth underprivileged undistinguished unimportant unrefined vulgar wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bold brave extraordinary presumptuous
STRONG
honest moral nice noble polite
WEAK
assertive boasting conceited egotistical insolent luxurious pretentious proud rich showy superior
VERB
shame, put down
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chagrin chasten confound confuse crush deflate disgrace embarrass humiliate mortify overcome subdue upset
STRONG
abase abash break debase degrade demean demote deny discomfit discredit hide lower reduce silence sink snub squash squelch
WEAK
bemean bring down cast down cut to the quick make eat dirt make one feel small pop one's balloon pull down put away put one away put to shame strike dumb take down take down a peg
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boost build up clarify clear up comfort compliment delight encourage enlighten explain help honor lose make happy order please praise release surrender yield
STRONG
agree allow elevate enhance grow improve increase laud open promote raise rise strengthen upgrade

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Apple's hit products — the Mac, the iPhone, the Apple Watch and the iPad — command a cult-like following, long after the company's humble beginnings on April 1, 1976 in Jobs's Cupertino, California garage.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

But hey, we’re just humble out-of-practice Christians over here at the Surge—what do we know?

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

But it will humble you and you've got to work hard for those results.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

When you see its humble ingredients, you will surely doubt how supremely special it is; it simply doesn’t stand to reason that such a modest list could become something so ambrosial.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

In his humble handkerchief lay a small, round stone.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Vocabulary lists containing humble

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant

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Unit 1: Telling Details

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