HUMBLE


Meaning of HUMBLE in English

/ ˈhʌmbl; NAmE / adjective , verb

■ adjective ( hum·bler / ˈhʌmblə(r); NAmE / hum·blest / ˈhʌmblɪst; NAmE /)

1.

showing you do not think that you are as important as other people

SYN modest :

Be humble enough to learn from your mistakes.

my humble tribute to this great man

—see also humility

2.

( ironic or humorous ) used to suggest that you are not as important as other people, but in a way that is not sincere or not very serious :

In my humble opinion , you were in the wrong.

My humble apologies . I did not understand.

3.

having a low rank or social position :

a man of humble birth / origins

a humble occupation

the daughter of a humble shopkeeper

4.

( of a thing ) not large or special in any way

SYN modest :

a humble farmhouse

The company has worked its way up from humble beginnings to become the market leader.

►  hum·bly / ˈhʌmbli; NAmE / adverb :

I would humbly suggest that there is something wrong here.

'Sorry,' she said humbly.

IDIOMS

see eat

■ verb [ vn ]

1.

to make sb feel that they are not as good or important as they thought they were :

He was humbled by her generosity.

a humbling experience

2.

[ usually passive ] to easily defeat an opponent, especially a strong or powerful one :

The world champion was humbled last night in three rounds.

3.

~ yourself to show that you are not too proud to ask for sth, admit that you have been wrong, etc.

—see also humility

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WORD ORIGIN

Middle English : from Old French , from Latin humilis low, lowly, from humus ground.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.