English Reference
Adjective

meek

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˈmik/ UK /mˈiːk/ meek

adj.quiet, gentle, and unwilling to argue with other people. You use this to describe someone who does what others want without complaining.

adj.quiet, gentle, and submissive; deficient in spirit or courage. Often carries a negative connotation of being too easily dominated by others.


SIMPLE

He was too meek to ask for a pay rise.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager expected a fight, but the employees remained meek and accepted the new rules without a word.

COMPLEX

In many classic stories, the protagonist begins as a meek and overlooked figure before discovering the inner strength required to confront their oppressors.

Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'seem' or 'remain'.

Here, everyone seems quite meek and pleasant, and without any obvious dynamic.

The Guardian· 4 Sept 2026

A side that has produced some of the sport's most fearsome bowlers were also meek with the ball and poor in the field.

BBC News· 21 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated