noble
/ˈnəʊbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnəʊbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnō-bəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈnəʊ.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnoʊ.bəl/ (ame, ipa)
noble — adjective
- noblepositive
- noblercomparative
- noblestsuperlative
1. showing a strong sense of what is right and fair, often with the courage to do g
showing a strong sense of what is right and fair, often with the courage to do good things even when they are difficult or costly for oneself.
Devika made a noble choice to use her savings to build a local school.
noble + noun (decision, act, effort)
The firefighter earned an award for his noble act of saving a family.
It was noble of Kwame to forgive the coworker who had lied about him.
Salma's noble efforts to protect the river earned the community's respect.
- ignoble
the direct antonym; lacks moral dignity
- dishonorable
emphasizes loss of integrity or reputation
文法句型
noble + noun
it is noble of someone to do something
用法筆記
Describes people, actions, or motives. Frequently pairs with abstract nouns such as 'act', 'cause', 'intention', or 'effort'. Not used for physical objects or appearances — use sense 3 for those.
常見錯誤
2. holding an inherited high-status position within a traditional class system, oft
holding an inherited high-status position within a traditional class system, often marked by a formal title such as duke or count.
The noble family owned a large estate in the countryside for over three hundred years.
noble + noun (family, birth, blood, title)
Élise's grandmother was born into a noble family with a coat of arms and motto.
In medieval times, only children of noble parents could inherit land or official titles.
Liang studied how Europe's noble families lost their power over two centuries.
- aristocratic
the more common modern term for belonging to the upper social class
- titled
specifies that a person holds a formal rank such as duke or baron
- blue-blooded
informal and slightly old-fashioned; suggests pure aristocratic lineage
文法句型
noble + noun
用法筆記
In modern English, this sense is mostly used in historical contexts or discussions of countries that still have a titled aristocracy. The word 'aristocratic' is more common in everyday modern usage.
常見錯誤
3. large, dignified, and beautiful to look at, especially in a way that suggests gr
large, dignified, and beautiful to look at, especially in a way that suggests grandeur or majesty.
The old cathedral stands on the hill with its noble towers visible from miles away.
noble + noun describing architecture
Brandon admired the noble architecture of the palace, especially the tall marble columns.
The painting shows a noble landscape of snow-covered mountains under a clear blue sky.
Apinya liked the staircase's noble simplicity, which made the room feel grand.
文法句型
noble + noun
用法筆記
Describes buildings, landscapes, objects, or design — not people (use sense 1 for a person's inner qualities). Often found in formal or literary writing.
常見錯誤
noble — noun
- noblesingular
- noblesplural
1. a person who belongs to the highest social class and often holds a title such as
a person who belongs to the highest social class and often holds a title such as duke, count, or baron that is passed down within the family.
The ballroom was filled with nobles from across the kingdom in silk and jewels.
noble as a countable noun for aristocrat
Adina met a French noble who spent his time restoring a family castle in Provence.
In a novel, a young noble falls in love with a common farmer's daughter.
The king invited all the nobles to his castle for the annual harvest feast.
- aristocrat
more neutral and commonly used in modern English
- lord
specific to the British peerage system; also used as a title
- peer
the legal term for a British noble with the right to sit in the House of Lords
文法句型
the + noble
a + noble
nobles (plural)
用法筆記
Used both in historical settings and for contemporary societies with a titled aristocracy (e.g. the British peerage, Japanese kazoku). More formal and traditional than 'aristocrat'. A 'noble' always holds or inherits a specific rank.