Humble Definition

hŭmbəl
humbled, humbler, humbles, humblest, humbling
adjective
humbler, humblest
Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.
American Heritage
Having or showing a consciousness of one's defects or shortcomings; not overly proud; not self-assertive; modest.
Webster's New World
Showing deferential or submissive respect.
A humble apology.
American Heritage
Low in condition, rank, or position; lowly; unpretentious.
A humble home.
Webster's New World

Near the ground; not high or lofty; not pretentious or magnificent; unpretending; unassuming; as, a humble cottage.

Thy humble nest built on the ground. -Cowley.
Wiktionary
verb
humbled, humbles, humbling
To lower in condition, rank, or position; abase.
Webster's New World
To lower in pride; make modest or humble in mind.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Humble

Adjective

Base Form:
humble
Comparative:
humbler
Superlative:
humblest

Origin of Humble

  • From Old French (h)umble, from Latin humilis (“low, slight, hence mean, humble”) (compare Greek χαμαλός (khamalos, “on the ground, low, trifling”)), from humus (“the earth, ground”), humi (“on the ground”). See homage, and compare chameleon, humiliate.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old French from Latin humilis low, lowly from humus ground dhghem- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Compare hummel.

    From Wiktionary

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