What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
humility
Example
She showed great humility when accepting the award, thanking her team for their support. [humility: noun]
Example
He humbly accepted the feedback and worked to improve his performance. [humbly: adverb]
meekness
Example
The meek child never spoke up in class, even when she knew the answer. [meek: adjective]
Example
He approached the situation with meekness, hoping to avoid any confrontation. [meekness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Humility is more commonly used than meekness in everyday language, especially in religious or spiritual contexts. Meekness is more limited in its usage and may not be familiar to all ESL learners.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between humility and meekness?
Both humility and meekness are generally associated with a formal or polite tone, but humility is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.