Humble

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Humble

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective and verb

Pronunciation

HUM-bul  /ˈhʌmb(ə)l/

Definition

As an adjective: having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance; not arrogant or proud; of low social, administrative, or political rank. As a verb: to lower the rank, status, or dignity of someone; to cause someone to feel less important or proud.

Plain meaning

Humble means not proud or arrogant — genuinely modest about your own importance, abilities, or achievements. A humble person doesn't boast and recognises their own limitations. To humble someone means to make them feel less important — a defeat can humble a champion. The phrase eat humble pie means to have to admit you were wrong and apologise.

Register

Neutral to positive. Humility and humble are widely valued qualities in most moral and religious traditions. Humble in the sense of low rank is neutral. The verb to humble carries connotations of deserved reduction of excessive pride. False humility — performing modesty while actually being proud — is described as false modesty or, in social media contexts, as humblebragging.