ennoble

verb

en·​no·​ble i-ˈnō-bəl 

e-ˈnō-

ennobled; ennobling i-ˈnō-b(ə-)liŋ 

e-ˈnō-

transitive verb

1

: to make noble : elevate

seemed ennobled by suffering

2

: to raise to the rank of nobility

ennoblement

i-ˈnō-bəl-mənt 

e-ˈnō-

noun

Synonyms

• aggrandize
• canonize
• deify
• dignify
• elevate
• enshrine
• ensky
• enthrone
• exalt
• glorify
• magnify

Examples of ennoble in a Sentence

a life ennobled by suffering

Her skill and talent ennoble her profession.

He was ennobled by the queen.

Recent Examples on the Web

These days, college football can look more like the vast military industrial complex than any ennobling pursuit. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024

And, second, that ownership of great literature in its most talismanic form will ennoble you. —Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024

Other dishes that meld California-modern and Colombian cuisines command the energetic room’s attention: A take on the now classic California Brussels sprouts side dish is ennobled with plantain crumble. —Sunset Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024

Shostakovich’s detractors have accused him of ennobling Stalin while defenders have sought out subtle musical cues of dissent. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ennobelen, from Middle French ennoblir, from Old French, from en- + noble noble

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ennoble

verb

en·​no·​ble in-ˈō-bəl 

ennobled; ennobling -b(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to make noble : elevate

seemed ennobled by his hardship

2

: to raise to the rank of nobility

ennoblement

-bəl-mənt 

noun