Word
humbly
US/ˈhəmbɫi/
UK/hˈʌmbli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. to do something in a way that shows you do not think you are more important than others. You use this when you want to show respect or when you are not trying to be proud.
adv. in a manner characterized by a modest or low estimate of one's own importance. Often used to signal deference or respect in formal communication.
Examples
“He humbly accepted the award.”
“She humbly apologized for the mistake, acknowledging that she still had much to learn from her colleagues.”
“The scientist humbly attributed the breakthrough to the decades of foundational research conducted by her predecessors rather than to her own individual genius.”
Examples
simple
“He humbly accepted the award.”
contextual
“She humbly apologized for the mistake, acknowledging that she still had much to learn from her colleagues.”
complex
“The scientist humbly attributed the breakthrough to the decades of foundational research conducted by her predecessors rather than to her own individual genius.”
Usage
Typically follows the verb it modifies or sits at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis.
Etymology
From Middle English humbely, humbliche, equivalent to humble + -ly. Displaced Old English ēaþmōdlīċe.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/humbly