ignoble Hear it!

ignoble Definition

ig·no·ble (ig nō′bəl)

adjective

  1. not noble in birth or position; of the common people
  2. not noble in character or quality; dishonorable; base; mean

Etymology: MFr < L ignobilis, unknown, obscure < in-, not + nobilis (OL gnobilis), known: see noble

ignoble Related Forms
ig·no′·ble·ness noun ig·no′·bly adverb
ignoble Synonyms

ignoble

modif.

  1. Shameful

    disgraceful, mean, dishonorable; see corrupt 1, mean 1, shameful 1, 2, wicked 1.

  2. Lowly

    mean, base, abject; see humble 2. See syn. study at mean.

ignoble Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • history: Why would a people make up such an ignoble history?
  • purpose: It has, however, now totally disappeared, the last remains of it having been carted away and used for various ignoble purposes.
  • reason: The UN inspection team had kept their discoveries about Saddam's supply networks secret for two ignoble reasons.
  • motive: The fundamental issue raised by Master of the Senate is thus: can a good deed be done for ignoble motives?
  • death: How to look ahead, with such an ignoble death behind me?
  • animal: Thirdly, he must remember [ listen ] that it is no mean or ignoble animal that he deals with.
ignoble Quotes

öNever yet Was noble man but made ignoble talk. He makes no friend who never made a foe.

—Tennyson