Etymology Map
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Humble

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means having a modest view of oneself

Where does the word "humble" come from? It comes from Latin humilis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
humilis
Latin · ancient
"low, lowly"
from 'humus', earth, ground
2
Stage 2 of 3
umble
Old French · medieval
"humble"
spoken French dropped the Latin h
3
Stage 3 of 3
humble
English · 1300s
"lowly"
the h stayed silent until the 1800s; 'humble pie' comes from 'umbles', animal offal
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Read the full story

Humble’s story begins in Latin: humilis meant “low, lowly.” From 'humus', earth, ground. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as umble. Spoken French dropped the Latin h. It reached English by 1300s as humble. The h stayed silent until the 1800s; 'humble pie' comes from 'umbles', animal offal. Today, humble means having a modest view of oneself.