noble
1 of 2adjective
no·ble ˈnō-bəl 
nobler ˈnō-b(ə-)lər ; noblest ˈnō-b(ə-)ləst
; 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
Samuel Taylor Coleridgenoble 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
R. B. Sheridan4
: 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
adverb also -bə-lē
noble
2 of 2noun
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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Jacob Siegal, BGR, 11 Sep. 2022 The Agojie here are universally noble and good and the enemy strictly bad, either brutes or mustache twirlers. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2022 The eldest Sharma sister, Kate shows up to town trying to find a suitable (and noble) husband for her sister, Edwina. Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 9 Sep. 2022 Miriam Ungría y López is now the member of three noble families. Emily Burack, Town & Country, 7 Sep. 2022 The hospital administration has suggested Baribeau’s willingness to take on the most desperate cases was a noble effort to help high-risk patients. BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 To many, the reasons for going into Afghanistan probably seemed noble and clear. Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 For those with deep enough pockets, there is a mansion in Michigan that can grant a taste of that noble lifestyle. Hunter Boyce, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022 Gorbachev – championed by Western nations for helping end the Cold War and awarded a noble peace prize for his efforts to slow the nuclear arms race – holds a legacy that stand at odds with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 1 Sep. 2022 Timothy Snyder, The New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2022 Researchers speculate the silver seal may have been owned by a noble who was unaware it was set with a Roman gem. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2021 That colonial label came from the same English noble—Thomas West of Wherwell, the third Baron De La Warr—whose name the English also stuck on a big river and a small colony, by its mouth, that later became a state. Joshua Jelly-schapiro, The New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2021 Margaret was removed from power and forced into exile while John Stewart, the Duke of Albany—a pro-French, anti-England noble favored by Parliament, who also happened to be Margaret's late husband's cousin—took over as regent for her son, James V. Liz Cantrell, Town & Country, 9 Oct. 2020 Menlo Castle Menlo Castle in western Ireland was built in the 16th century as an estate for the Blake family of English nobles. Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2020 Also on this day: 44 B.C.: Julius Caesar is assassinated by a group of nobles that included Brutus and Cassius. Fox News, 15 Mar. 2020 This is partly because the country is a historical fusion of small states and cities that were once run by princes and nobles, all determined to prove their cultural prowess. Catherine Hickley, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2020 Some researchers say the events of 378 may have been a more limited case of palace intrigue, with the nobles of one powerful region elbowing their way into the politics of another. Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, 27 Feb. 2020 See More
Adjective
Amid tension in 1980s India, three friends of different faiths unite in a noble yet dangerous effort to save hundreds in their town. Jacob Siegal, BGR, 11 Sep. 2022 The Agojie here are universally noble and good and the enemy strictly bad, either brutes or mustache twirlers. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2022 The eldest Sharma sister, Kate shows up to town trying to find a suitable (and noble) husband for her sister, Edwina. Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 9 Sep. 2022 Miriam Ungría y López is now the member of three noble families. Emily Burack, Town & Country, 7 Sep. 2022 The hospital administration has suggested Baribeau’s willingness to take on the most desperate cases was a noble effort to help high-risk patients. BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 To many, the reasons for going into Afghanistan probably seemed noble and clear. Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 For those with deep enough pockets, there is a mansion in Michigan that can grant a taste of that noble lifestyle. Hunter Boyce, ajc, 2 Sep. 2022 Gorbachev – championed by Western nations for helping end the Cold War and awarded a noble peace prize for his efforts to slow the nuclear arms race – holds a legacy that stand at odds with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 1 Sep. 2022 Noun
The rebellion began in 1648, when an influential Cossack, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, saw his lands seized and his son attacked by a Polish noble. Timothy Snyder, The New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2022 Researchers speculate the silver seal may have been owned by a noble who was unaware it was set with a Roman gem. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2021 That colonial label came from the same English noble—Thomas West of Wherwell, the third Baron De La Warr—whose name the English also stuck on a big river and a small colony, by its mouth, that later became a state. Joshua Jelly-schapiro, The New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2021 Margaret was removed from power and forced into exile while John Stewart, the Duke of Albany—a pro-French, anti-England noble favored by Parliament, who also happened to be Margaret's late husband's cousin—took over as regent for her son, James V. Liz Cantrell, Town & Country, 9 Oct. 2020 Menlo Castle Menlo Castle in western Ireland was built in the 16th century as an estate for the Blake family of English nobles. Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2020 Also on this day: 44 B.C.: Julius Caesar is assassinated by a group of nobles that included Brutus and Cassius. Fox News, 15 Mar. 2020 This is partly because the country is a historical fusion of small states and cities that were once run by princes and nobles, all determined to prove their cultural prowess. Catherine Hickley, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2020 Some researchers say the events of 378 may have been a more limited case of palace intrigue, with the nobles of one powerful region elbowing their way into the politics of another. Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, 27 Feb. 2020 See More 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
Kids Definition
noble 1 of 2
adjective
no·ble ˈnō-bəl
nobler; noblest
1
: having or showing very fine or admirable qualities
a noble deed
He was a noble person of courage and honesty.
2
: of very high birth or rank
a noble lady
3
: grand in appearance
a noble cathedral
noble
2 of 2noun
: a person of high birth or rank
noble 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station despite his noble background, the prince is known for his unpretentious way with common people Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aristocratic
- patrician
- great
- highborn
- gentle
- highbred
- wellborn
- grand
- royal
- genteel
- blue-blooded
- lofty
- exalted
- upper-class
- ennobled
- upper-crust
- regal
- superior
- silk-stocking
- gentlemanly
- knightly
- high
- ladylike
- princely
- kingly
- queenly
- senior
- lordly
- elevated
- high-level
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignoble
- common
- humble
- plebeian
- lowly
- low
- inferior
- mean
- knavish
- bastard
- ordinary
- illegitimate
- nonaristocratic
- plain
- ungenteel
- baseborn
- lower-class
- subordinate
- degraded
- junior
- abased
2
as in great
having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature the factory owner had a kind, noble disposition that showed in his unstinting generosity toward the poor our country was founded on the noble ideas that are put forth in the Founding Fathers' writings Synonyms & Similar Words
- great
- honorable
- gallant
- high
- sublime
- chivalrous
- magnanimous
- lofty
- high-minded
- heroic
- big
- natural
- worthy
- lordly
- valiant
- heroical
- elevated
- exalted
- ennobled
- regal
- venerable
- greathearted
- magnificent
- knightly
- inspiring
- majestic
- uplifting
- glorified
- princely
- numinous
- moving
- august
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignoble
- low
- vile
- debased
- degenerate
- sordid
- wretched
- contemptible
- base
- degraded
- despicable
- detestable
- squalid
- abominable
- vicious
- repulsive
- ugly
- hateful
- offensive
- little
- dastardly
- dirty
- lousy
- sorry
- narrow
- mean
- discreditable
- ignominious
- humiliating
- vulgar
- degrading
- coarse
- crude
- small-minded
3
as in honorable
following the accepted rules of moral conduct his noble behavior even as he was being unjustly attacked by his political opponents Synonyms & Similar Words
- honorable
- ethical
- honest
- respectable
- righteous
- decent
- upstanding
- principled
- upright
- good
- just
- chivalrous
- virtuous
- nice
- conscientious
- irreproachable
- moral
- unimpeachable
- blameless
- classy
- unassailable
- guiltless
- proper
- high-minded
- respected
- polite
- stand-up
- incorruptible
- scrupulous
- decorous
- reputable
- seemly
- fair
- uncorrupted
- right-minded
- menschy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignoble
- unworthy
- dishonorable
- unjust
- criminal
- dishonest
- evil
- unethical
- unprincipled
- low
- nefarious
- base
- sinful
- bad
- immoral
- unrighteous
- reprehensible
- roguish
- iniquitous
- crooked
- rotten
- vile
- villainous
- wicked
- corrupt
- unscrupulous
- mean
- unfair
- wretched
- rascally
- knavish
- scoundrelly
- censurable
- culpable
- shameful
- disgraceful
- blameworthy
- venal
- depraved
- blackguardly
- perverse
- dissolute
- perverted
- blamable
- profligate
- degenerate
- debased
- decadent
- loose
- degraded
- debauched
- libertine
- demoralized
- dissipated
- disreputable
- reprobate
4
as in magnificent
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception Peter the Great's plan to build for Russia a capital city as noble as any in Europe Synonyms & Similar Words
- magnificent
- glorious
- epic
- majestic
- royal
- regal
- heroic
- grand
- imposing
- proud
- heroical
- gallant
- imperial
- monumental
- impressive
- wonderful
- splendid
- massive
- grandiose
- baronial
- luxurious
- colossal
- august
- remarkable
- formidable
- operatic
- tremendous
- lavish
- stately
- marvelous
- extraordinary
- sublime
- gorgeous
- marvellous
- awesome
- superb
- magnific
- terrific
- extravagant
- wondrous
- stupendous
- cosmic
- Homeric
- prodigious
- monstrous
- kingly
- princely
- cosmical
- pompous
- heavenly
- divine
- opulent
- striking
- sumptuous
- awful
- redoubtable
- lordly
- queenly
- celestial
- resplendent
- apocalyptic
- inflated
- overblown
- prepossessing
- palatial
- sensational
- splendiferous
- apocalyptical
- palatine
- killer
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- humble
- unheroic
- modest
- common
- lowly
- ordinary
- unimpressive
- unimposing
- unprepossessing
- average
- mediocre
- sordid
- meretricious
- shabby
- petty
- trivial
- abject
- trifling
- insignificant
- puny
- mean
- paltry
- second-rate
- run-of-the-mill
- measly
5
as in wonderful
of the very best kind a noble racehorse Synonyms & Similar Words
- wonderful
- beautiful
- excellent
- lovely
- great
- terrific
- awesome
- superb
- fabulous
- fantastic
- stellar
- marvelous
- fine
- prime
- brave
- famous
- marvellous
- quality
- classic
- heavenly
- splendid
- neat
- divine
- hot
- grand
- cool
- superior
- good
- righteous
- exceptional
- sensational
- superlative
- sterling
- choice
- dandy
- capital
- radical
- immense
- slick
- supernal
- top
- peachy
- prize
- banner
- par excellence
- swell
- unsurpassed
- nifty
- high-class
- groovy
- decent
- bonny
- mean
- keen
- cracking
- fab
- prizewinning
- dynamite
- too much
- brag
- topflight
- corking
- boss
- bully
- dope
- wizard
- frontline
- primo
- crackerjack
- fantabulous
- better
- special
- first-class
- first-rate
- acceptable
- topping
- peachy keen
- number one
- numero uno
- boffo
- classical
- bumper
- hype
- top-notch
- gone
- satisfactory
- gangbuster
- adequate
- gangbusters
- traditional
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- phat
- blue-chip
- tip-top
- bang-up
- four-star
- down
- gilt-edge
- out-of-sight
- first-string
- five-star
- jim-dandy
- blue-ribbon
- bonnie
- gilt-edged
- out of this world
- tolerable
- all right
- fancy
- A-OK
- passable
- premium
- superfine
- standard
- select
- No. 1
- A1
- okay
- high-grade
- OK
- high-test
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- poor
- vile
- wretched
- terrible
- pathetic
- awful
- execrable
- atrocious
- rotten
- lousy
- bad
- inferior
- unsatisfactory
- substandard
- mediocre
- middling
- low-grade
- second-rate
- second-class
6
as in distinguished
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a noble professor known internationally for his medical research Synonyms & Similar Words
- distinguished
- outstanding
- illustrious
- prestigious
- famous
- eminent
- notable
- noteworthy
- superior
- luminous
- bright
- glorious
- honored
- celebrated
- exalted
- star
- signal
- preeminent
- renowned
- redoubtable
- infamous
- famed
- reputable
- astral
- dominant
- notorious
- predominant
- paramount
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unimportant
- minor
- insignificant
- inferior
- mediocre
- average
- obscure
- unsung
- uncelebrated
noble
2 of 2noun
as in aristocrat
a man or woman of high birth or social position an elite school for children of nobles Synonyms & Similar Words
- aristocrat
- gentle
- patrician
- blue blood
- magnate
- gentlefolks
- gentleperson
- socialite
- gentlefolk
- nabob
- swell
- magnifico
- mogul
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- commoner
- plebeian
- proletarian
- peasant
- canaille
- boor
- pleb
- peon
- roturier
- fellah
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of noble are ethical, moral, righteous, and virtuous. While all these words mean "conforming to a standard of what is right and good," noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.
had the noblest of reasons for seeking office
The synonyms ethical and noble are sometimes interchangeable, but ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.
committed to the highest ethical principles
While the synonyms moral and noble are close in meaning, moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.
the basic moral values of a community
Although the words righteous and noble have much in common, righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.
wished to be righteous before God and the world
The words virtuous and noble can be used in similar contexts, but virtuous implies moral excellence in character.
not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless
- ladies' day
- ladies' ladder
- ladies' man
- ladies' men
- ladies' night
- ladies' pocket
- ladies' pockets
- ladies' room
- ladies' rooms
- ladies' slipper
- ladies' tresses
- ladies'-delight
- ladies'-delights
- ladies'-eardrop
- ladies'-eardrops
- ladies'-pocket
- ladies'-streamer
- ladies'-tobacco
- ladies-in-waiting
- ladified
- ladifies
- ladify
- ladifying
- foamflower
- foamflowers