lowliness

lowliness — noun

1. the quality of being modest about your own importance, or the condition of havin

1.名詞C1
釋義

the quality of being modest about your own importance, or the condition of having a low position in society — shown, for example, by someone who could act with authority but chooses to serve, or by a family that lives simply with little money or status.

例句

Despite her wealth and success, Sister Maria's lowliness of spirit impressed everyone who met her.

collocation: lowliness of spirit

The retired general surprised visitors with his lowliness, serving tea himself instead of asking.

同義詞
  • humility

    focuses on inner modest character; more common in everyday use

  • modesty

    closer to behaviour and presentation rather than social status

  • humbleness

    very close in meaning but less associated with low social rank

  • obscurity

    emphasises being unknown rather than low status or humble spirit

反義詞
  • pride

    the opposite of inner humility

  • arrogance

    exaggerated sense of one's own importance

  • prominence

    the opposite of low social status

  • importance

    the opposite of being low in rank or estimation

文法句型

lowliness + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in literary, religious, or philosophical contexts. Often paired with of-phrases (lowliness of spirit, lowliness of birth, lowliness of status). Unlike humility, lowliness may also refer to objective low social rank, not just an inner attitude.

常見錯誤

❌He felt a deep lowliness after losing his job.
✅He felt a deep sense of lowliness after losing his job.
💡Lowliness is typically uncountable; 'a sense of lowliness' or 'lowliness' alone is preferred over 'a lowliness'.
❌She spoke with lowliness about her achievements.
✅She spoke with humility about her achievements.
💡Lowliness emphasises state or condition; humility is the better choice for describing modest speech or behaviour.