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humbling — Making someone feel less important or proud, often by revealing one's limitations or by comparison to something greater

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: Making someone feel less important or proud, often by revealing one's limitations or by comparison to something greater

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhʌmblɪŋ/

Example Sentences

  • It was humbling to realize my cat understood more commands in Korean than I did after two years of studying.
  • Standing at the foot of the mountain was a humbling reminder of how small we are in nature.
  • Getting corrected by my six-year-old niece's grammar was a truly humbling moment.

humbling

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈhʌmblɪŋ/]

Making someone feel less important or proud, often by revealing one's limitations or by comparison to something greater

Standing before the vast canyon was a humbling reminder of how small we are.
💡 Concept

Standing before the vast canyon was a humbling reminder of how small we are.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈhʌmblɪŋ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈhʌmblɪŋ/

🌳Etymology

Roothumble
Suffix--ing

Origin

From Latin 'humilis' (low, lowly), derived from 'humus' (ground, earth), reflecting the idea of being brought low or grounded.

Breakdown

humil- (low, from earth) + -ble (adjective suffix) + -ing (adjective/present participle suffix)

🎵Rhyme

mumbling
rumbling
tumbling
grumbling

🔗Collocations

a humbling experience
a humbling defeat
a humbling moment
find it humbling
a humbling reminder
truly humbling
a humbling lesson

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“It was humbling to realize my cat understood more commands in Korean than I did after two years of studying.”

“Standing at the foot of the mountain was a humbling reminder of how small we are in nature.”

😄 Fun example

“Getting corrected by my six-year-old niece's grammar was a truly humbling moment.”

“The CEO said failure was humbling but taught him valuable lessons about leadership.”

📚Related Words

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