humble
gb/hˈʌmbəl/ us/hˈʌmbəl/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Modest about one's importance
Thinking you are not more important or better than other people.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is humble
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'humble' with 'poor' in all contexts. In this sense, it refers to attitude, not wealth.
Synonyms
modest (Often used interchangeably, but 'modest' can also refer to moderation in appearance or claims, not just self-view.)
Antonyms
arrogant (Describes someone with an exaggerated sense of their own importance, the opposite of humble.)
Collocations
humble attitude
|humble person
|remain humble
|truly humble
|humble nature
Themes
character
|emotions
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Despite his success, he remained humble and approachable.
- She gave a humble speech, thanking her team for the award.
- He is humble about his achievements, never boasting.
Learner examples
- My teacher is very humble.
- She is humble even though she is rich.
- He stays humble after winning the game.
adjective
B1
property
2
Low in rank or status
Having a low position in society or little money.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is humble
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'humble' here to mean 'modest' in personality, when it refers instead to social/economic position.
Synonyms
lowly (Emphasizes low rank or status, often more literary.)
Antonyms
privileged (Describes someone with advantages in wealth or status, opposite of lowly or humble in this sense.)
Collocations
humble origins
|humble background
|humble beginnings
Themes
society
|status
|core_vocabulary
|business
|work
Examples
- He came from humble beginnings but built a successful company.
- Her parents had humble jobs but valued education.
- The project started in a humble workshop.
Learner examples
- I grew up in a humble village.
- She has a humble house in the countryside.
- He is from a humble family.
Verb
B2
action
3
Make someone feel less proud
To make someone lose their pride or feel less important.
Usage pattern:
to humble [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'humble' with 'embarrass'; 'humble' may not involve shame but rather perspective change.
Synonyms
humiliate ('Humiliate' often implies public shame; 'humble' can be gentler and not necessarily public.)
Antonyms
encourage (To build someone's confidence, opposite of making them feel less important.)
Collocations
humble an opponent
|humbled by defeat
|experience that humbles
Themes
emotions
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The loss humbled the champion.
- Traveling to poor regions humbled her perspective on life.
- He was humbled by the generosity of strangers.
Learner examples
- The game humbled the team.
- I was humbled by her kindness.
- Losing the match humbled him.
Grammar
Dictionary form
humble
IPA
GB/hˈʌmbəl/
US/hˈʌmbəl/
Syllables & stress
humble (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (humble)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: humble
- Comparative: humbler
- Superlative: humblest
Verb
- Base: humble
- 3rd Person Singular: humbles
- Present Participle: humbling
- Past: humbled
Word family
Expressions
in my humble opinion
1/ˈɪn mˈaɪ hˈʌmbəl əpˈɪnjən/
fixed phrase
informal
Polite way to share opinion
A polite way to say what you think.
Examples
- In my humble opinion, this is his best book yet.
- Well, in my humble opinion, we should wait before deciding.
eat humble pie
1/ˈit hˈʌmbəl pˈaɪ/
idiom
informal
To admit you were wrong and apologize humbly
To say you were wrong and be sorry after someone shows you are wrong.
Examples
- After the mistake was discovered, he had to eat humble pie in front of the team.
- After the argument, he had to eat humble pie and apologize.
- She refused to admit her error until the evidence forced her to eat humble pie.
- She was forced to eat humble pie when her plan failed.
eat humble pie
2/ˈit hˈʌmbəl pˈaɪ/
idiom
admit you were wrong
To admit you were wrong and say you are sorry, especially after strongly saying you were right.
Examples
- After the report came out, the manager had to eat humble pie and apologize to the team.
- The critics ate humble pie when the movie became a huge success.
- He laughed at her idea, but later he ate humble pie when it worked perfectly.