humbled
humbled — verb
- humbledpresent simple I / you / we / they
- humbleds3rd person singular
- humbleding-ing form
- humblededpast simple
1. to cause someone to feel less proud or self-important, especially by showing the
to cause someone to feel less proud or self-important, especially by showing them the limits of their own abilities or achievements
Visiting the children's hospital humbled the famous singer, as she saw families facing real struggles.
Coach Rivera's honest feedback humbled Tunde, showing him specific areas where he needed to improve.
humble + [person]: make someone feel less proud of their own ability
The night sky humbled Emma, making her feel small yet part of something larger.
Rejection from his top university humbled Pedro and pushed him to work harder.
Watching her grandmother work tirelessly humbled Sofia and taught her the value of dedication.
- humble
same verb, base form used in different tenses
- bring down
more informal; can imply punishment rather than personal growth
- sober
focuses on making someone serious rather than less proud
文法句型
humble + someone
feel humbled by + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive (feel humbled / was humbled) to describe the emotional result of an experience rather than a deliberate action by someone.
常見錯誤
humbled — adjective
- humbledpositive
- more humbledcomparative
- most humbledsuperlative
1. not thinking of yourself as better than others; having a realistic view of your
not thinking of yourself as better than others; having a realistic view of your own value and achievements
Despite winning the championship, Wren remained humble and thanked her teammates for their support.
The humble professor always listened to his students' ideas with genuine interest and respect.
Cyrus gave a humble speech, praising the team instead of his own role.
A truly humble person does not need to tell everyone about their accomplishments.
- modest
very close in meaning; 'modest' can also describe size (modest house) while 'humble' in this sense is only about attitude
- unassuming
suggests someone who does not try to impress others; slightly formal
- self-effacing
more formal; emphasizes avoiding attention to oneself
用法筆記
This is the most common meaning of 'humble' as an adjective. Unlike 'humiliated', which always has a negative force, 'humble' in this sense is a positive quality — someone worth admiring.
常見錯誤
2. from a low social or economic position; having very little wealth, power, or inf
from a low social or economic position; having very little wealth, power, or influence in society
The scientist came from a humble background, raised in a village with no running water.
collocation: humble background / humble beginnings / humble origins
Indra started her career in a humble office job before becoming the company's chief executive.
The Watanabe family lived in a humble cottage at the edge of the forest.
His humble birth did not stop Cyrus from achieving greatness in the field of medicine.
- noble
having high social rank by birth
- wealthy
having a lot of money, not necessarily status
- aristocratic
belonging to the highest social class
用法筆記
Often paired with nouns like 'birth', 'background', 'origins', or 'beginnings' to describe where someone started in life. This sense does NOT suggest a person's character — it describes their position in society.
3. plain and not intended to be impressive; without any special features or luxurio
plain and not intended to be impressive; without any special features or luxurious qualities
The restaurant serves humble but delicious home-cooked meals at reasonable prices.
collocation: humble meal / humble home / humble house
Their wedding was a humble ceremony with only close friends and family members present.
Ishaan's first car was a humble sedan that took him everywhere he needed to go.
The tool itself looks humble, yet it can cut through thick steel with surprising ease.
- modest
overlapping meaning; 'modest' can also imply appropriateness while 'humble' suggests plainness
- simple
focuses on lack of complexity rather than social status
- unpretentious
more formal; not trying to seem important or fancy
用法筆記
Use this sense to describe objects, places, or events that are simple and unremarkable. Unlike sense 1 (MODEST), this applies to things — not a person's character.