Humble describes someone who doesn't brag about their abilities or accomplishments, even when they have good reasons to feel proud. A humble person might be the smartest student in class but never shows off or makes others feel bad about themselves. They recognize their strengths without constantly announcing them.

The word also means modest or simple. A humble home might be small and plain but comfortable. A champion athlete might talk about her humble beginnings, meaning she started with little money or few advantages.

Being humble doesn't mean pretending you're not good at something. If you win the science fair, you don't have to act like it was nothing. Humble people simply stay grounded: they give credit to others who helped them, acknowledge when luck played a part, and remember that everyone has different talents. A truly humble person can accept a compliment with a simple “thank you” without either brushing it off or turning it into a chance to list all their other achievements.

The opposite of humble is arrogant or boastful. You can take pride in your work and still be humble about it.