English Explanatory Dictionary

ignoble

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Not noble; plebeian; common.
  2. Not honorable; base.
  3. Not a true or "noble" falcon; said of certain hawks, such as the goshawk.
  4. Of an element, dangerously reactive.
verb
  1. To make ignoble; to bring low.

Pronunciation

/ɪɡˈnəʊbəl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-ignoble.wav /ɪɡˈnoʊbəl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-AnotherFriendlyHuman-ignoble.wav

Word forms

ignoble ignobler ignoblest ignobles ignobling ignobled

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French ignoble, from Latin ignōbilis, from in- (“not”) + gnōbilis, later nōbilis (“noble”).

Synonyms

common plebeian vulgar degenerate mean base vile low-minded reproachful shameful disgraceful

Antonyms

noble honorable

Derived words

ignobility ignobleness ignobly
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