humble humble /ˈhʌmbəl/

adjective

1. () Low or inferior in station or quality  ( low , modest , lowly , humble , small )
   low or inferior in station or quality
    A humble cottage
   a humble cottage
    A lowly parish priest
   a lowly parish priest
    A modest man of the people
   a modest man of the people
    Small beginnings
   small beginnings
   
2. () Marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful  ( humble )
   marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
    A humble apology
   a humble apology
    Essentially humble...and self-effacing, he achieved the highest formal honors and distinctions
   essentially humble...and self-effacing, he achieved the highest formal honors and distinctions
   
3. Of low birth or station (base' is archaic in this sense)  ( baseborn , humble , lowly , base )
   of low birth or station (base' is archaic in this sense)
    Baseborn wretches with dirty faces
   baseborn wretches with dirty faces
    Of humble (or lowly) birth
   of humble (or lowly) birth
   
4. Used of unskilled work (especially domestic work)  ( humble , lowly , menial )
   used of unskilled work (especially domestic work)
   

verb

1. () Cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of  ( abase , chagrin , mortify , humble , humiliate )
   cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
    He humiliated his colleague by criticising him in front of the boss
   He humiliated his colleague by criticising him in front of the boss
   
2. () Cause to be unpretentious  ( humble )
   cause to be unpretentious
    This experience will humble him
   This experience will humble him