humble

 
Pronunciation: /ˈhʌmb(ə)l/

adjective (humbler, humblest)

  • 1having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance: I felt very humble when meeting her
  • (of an action or thought) offered with or affected by a modest estimate of one’s importance: my humble apologies
  • 2of low social, administrative, or political rank: she came from a humble, unprivileged background
  • 3(of a thing) of modest pretensions or dimensions: he built the business empire from humble beginnings

verb

[with object]
  • cause (someone) to feel less important or proud: he was humbled by his many ordeals
  • decisively defeat (a sporting opponent previously thought to be superior): Wales were humbled at Cardiff Arms Park by Romania

Phrases

eat humble pie

make a humble apology and accept humiliation: he will have to eat humble pie at training after being sent off for punching
[humble pie is from a pun based on umbles 'offal', considered inferior food]

one's humble abode

used to refer to one’s home with an ironic or humorous show of modesty: how to transform your humble abode into a top totty student bedroom in minutes!

your humble servant

archaic or humorous used at the end of a letter or as a form of ironic courtesy: your most humble servant, George Porter

Derivatives

humbleness

noun

humbly

adverb

Origin:

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