To be humbled means to have your pride or sense of superiority reduced, often by realizing you're not as good at something as you thought, or by experiencing something that makes you feel small in comparison. The experience is called humbling.

When a star student struggles with a challenging math problem that a classmate solves easily, that's a humbling moment. When an accomplished runner loses a race to someone they expected to beat, the defeat is humbling. The word doesn't mean you're being insulted or put down. It means reality has given you a more accurate, modest view of yourself.

Humbling experiences aren't always negative. Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon or seeing the night sky full of stars can be humbling because you suddenly feel how small you are compared to the vastness of nature. Meeting someone who has overcome tremendous challenges can be humbling because it makes you appreciate what they've accomplished and recognize what really matters.

Sometimes people say “I'm humbled” when they receive an award or honor, though this usage can feel odd since honors usually make people feel proud, not small. What they really mean is that they feel grateful and recognize they didn't achieve success alone.