Humble (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Of low birth or station (`base' is archaic in this sense); "baseborn wretches with dirty faces"; "of humble (or lowly) birth".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- Despite being of humble origin, the young artist's talents eventually earned him international recognition.
- The entrepreneur who rose from humble beginnings now owns a successful multinational corporation.
- The painter's use of bright colors and bold strokes beautifully captures the faces of humble workers toiling in the fields.
- The philanthropist's humble upbringing influenced her decision to support education and economic development in disadvantaged communities.
- The humble village where he grew up has been largely unchanged for centuries, with many residents living off the land.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful; "a humble apology"; "essentially humble...and self-effacing, he achieved the highest formal honors and distinctions"- B.K.Malinowski.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- She gave a humble acceptance speech for her award, thanking her team and family for their support.
- He was a humble man who never sought to draw attention to himself, despite his many accomplishments.
- The company made a humble start in a small garage, but it has since grown into a global brand.
- The professor's humble demeanor made her a beloved figure on campus, where she was known for her kindness and generosity.
- After her mistake was pointed out, she made a humble apology to the people who were affected by her error.
Antonyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
Used of unskilled work (especially domestic work).
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- She rose from a humble background of cleaning and scrubbing for wealthy families to become a highly respected chef.
- He toiled in humble occupations such as a janitor and manual laborer before landing a better-paying job.
- After being laid off, she had to swallow her pride and take on humble domestic work as a housekeeper.
- Growing up, she was taught the value of humble labor by her grandmother, who worked as a seamstress.
- The rich businessman was forced to return to his humble beginnings as a hotel dishwasher after his business went bankrupt.
Synonyms
Meaning 4
Low or inferior in station or quality; "a humble cottage"; "a lowly parish priest"; "a modest man of the people"; "small beginnings".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The young artist lived in a humble studio apartment with barely enough space to create.
- She rose from humble beginnings to become a renowned novelist, earning praises worldwide.
- The tourists visited a humble museum in the countryside, which turned out to be a hidden gem with an impressive collection of artwork.
- The company started with humble roots as a local, family-owned business but eventually grew into a global brand.
- The humble, unassuming demeanor of the new employee quickly earned him the respect of his colleagues.