Humility Meaning
/hjuːˈmɪlɪti/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe characteristic of being humble; humbleness in character and behavior.
Sentence Examples
Too much humility is pride.
They are proud in humility; proud that they are not proud.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Despite his great success, he showed ____ by always thanking his team and never bragging.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Admitting your own mistakes is a sign of great ____ and personal strength of character.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English humilite, from Old French (h)umilité, from Latin humilitas (“lowness, meanness, baseness, in Late Latin humility”), from humilis (“low, lowly, humble, earth”). Equivalent to humble + -ity, with /mb/ reduced to /m/ (compare plumbing). Displaced native Old English ēaþmōdnes. Doublet of omertà.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"She had established a character for humility, discretion, noiselessness and religion which Mrs. Piper greatly regretted losing."
— 1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, →OCLC, page 193:
"By the end of the tenth century, Edith's humility had inspired a cult of holy wells in Kent, Staffordshire, and Herefordshire."
— 1999, Robert Lacey, Danny Danziger, The Year 1000: What life was like at the turn of The First Millennium, London: Abacus, published 2000, page 170:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
Despite his great success, he showed ____ by always thanking his team and never bragging.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Admitting your own mistakes is a sign of great ____ and personal strength of character.