humble
gb/hˈʌmbəl/ us/hˈʌmbəl/
B1
Inglese
~ 2200
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adjective
B1
property
1
Modest about one's importance
Thinking you are not more important or better than other people.
Schema d'uso:
[someone] is humble
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'humble' with 'poor' in all contexts. In this sense, it refers to attitude, not wealth.
Sinonimi
modest (Often used interchangeably, but 'modest' can also refer to moderation in appearance or claims, not just self-view.)
Contrari
arrogant (Describes someone with an exaggerated sense of their own importance, the opposite of humble.)
Collocazioni
humble attitude
|humble person
|remain humble
|truly humble
|humble nature
Temi
character
|emotions
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
[someone/something] is humble
Errore comune:
Learners may use 'humble' here to mean 'modest' in personality, when it refers instead to social/economic position.
Sinonimi
lowly (Emphasizes low rank or status, often more literary.)
Contrari
privileged (Describes someone with advantages in wealth or status, opposite of lowly or humble in this sense.)
Collocazioni
humble origins
|humble background
|humble beginnings
Temi
society
|status
|core_vocabulary
|business
|work
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- I grew up in a humble village.
- She has a humble house in the countryside.
- He is from a humble family.
Verbo
B2
action
3
Make someone feel less proud
To make someone lose their pride or feel less important.
Schema d'uso:
to humble [someone]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'humble' with 'embarrass'; 'humble' may not involve shame but rather perspective change.
Sinonimi
humiliate ('Humiliate' often implies public shame; 'humble' can be gentler and not necessarily public.)
Contrari
encourage (To build someone's confidence, opposite of making them feel less important.)
Collocazioni
humble an opponent
|humbled by defeat
|experience that humbles
Temi
emotions
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- The loss humbled the champion.
- Traveling to poor regions humbled her perspective on life.
- He was humbled by the generosity of strangers.
Esempi per chi studia
- The game humbled the team.
- I was humbled by her kindness.
- Losing the match humbled him.
Grammatica
Forma base
humble
IPA
GB/hˈʌmbəl/
US/hˈʌmbəl/
Sillabe e accento
humble (1 sillaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (humble)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: humble
- Comparative: humbler
- Superlative: humblest
Verb
- Base: humble
- 3rd Person Singular: humbles
- Present Participle: humbling
- Past: humbled
Famiglia di parole
Espressioni
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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.