adj.
(humbler, humblest)
- having or showing a low estimate of one's own importance.
- of low rank.
- of modest pretensions or dimensions.
v.
lower in dignity or importance.
▸decisively defeat (a sporting opponent previously thought to be superior).
Phrase
- eat humble pie
make a humble apology and accept humiliation.
[humble pie is from a pun based on umbles ‘offal’, considered inferior food.]
Derivative
- humbleness n.
- humbly adv.
Etymology
ME: from OFr., from L. humilis ‘low, lowly’, from humus ‘ground’.