noble

1 of 2

adjective

no·​ble ˈnō-bəl 

nobler ˈnō-b(ə-)lər  ; noblest ˈnō-b(ə-)ləst 

1

a

: possessing outstanding qualities : illustrious

was a noble king

b

: famous, notable

noble deeds

2

: of high birth or exalted rank : aristocratic

… my sire is of a noble line …

—Samuel Taylor Coleridge

noble families

3

a

: possessing very high or excellent qualities or properties

noble wine

b

: very good or excellent

See that there be a noble supper provided …

—R. B. Sheridan

4

: grand or impressive especially in appearance

noble edifice

a noble cathedral

5

: possessing, characterized by, or arising from superiority of mind or character or of ideals or morals : lofty

a noble ambition

a noble cause

6

: chemically inert or inactive especially toward oxygen

a noble metal such as platinum

compare base entry 3 sense 2a

nobleness

ˈnō-bəl-nəs 

noun

nobly

ˈnō-blē 

 also  -bə-lē

adverb

noble

2 of 2

noun

1

: a person of noble rank or birth

2

: an old English gold coin equivalent to 6 shillings and 8 pence

Synonyms

Adjective

• aristocratic
• blue-blooded
• genteel
• gentle
• grand
• great
• highborn
• highbred
• patrician
• silk-stocking
• upper-class
• upper-crust
• wellborn

Noun

• aristocrat
• blue blood
• gentle
• gentleperson
• patrician

Choose the Right Synonym for noble

moral, ethical, virtuous, righteous, noble mean conforming to a standard of what is right and good.

moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Examples of noble in a Sentence

Adjective

He was a man of noble character.

It was noble of her to come forward with this information.

Noun

an elite school for children of nobles

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the Price family, going to prison was seen as a badge of honor, or a rite of passage; but the reality of it doesn’t feel half as noble as the idea. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024

No matter how well-intentioned a policy goal or noble a humanitarian cause, there are always tradeoffs to weigh before deciding on a course of action. —Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

One Person, One Vote? sets out to change that by looking at four 2020 presidential electors, a Republican, a Democrat, a Green, and of course, a Kanye West elector, all of whose motivations range from the noble to somewhat absurd. —Anne Easton, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

This is because, for centuries, equestrianism has been considered a hobby, sport, pastime, and passion for Royal families and nobles in European nations. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin nobilis well-known, noble, from noscere to come to know — more at know

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing noble

• noble gas
• noble rot
• noble savage

Kids Definition

noble

1 of 2 adjective

no·​ble ˈnō-bəl 

nobler -b(ə-)lər  ; noblest -b(ə-)ləst 

1

: famous, notable

noble deed

2

: of high birth or rank : aristocratic

3

: possessing very high qualities : excellent

4

: grand especially in appearance : imposing

a noble cathedral

5

: having or characterized by superiority of mind or character : magnanimous

a noble nature

6

: chemically inactive especially toward oxygen

noble metal

nobleness

-bəl-nəs 

noun

nobly

-blē 

adverb

noble

2 of 2 noun

: a person of noble rank or birth