Meek means gentle, patient, and humble, especially when facing difficult situations or powerful people. A meek person doesn't push others around or demand attention, but responds to challenges with quiet strength and self-control.

You might notice that meek sounds similar to “weak,” but they're quite different. Someone meek chooses gentleness even when they could be forceful. Think of a student who stays calm when another kid cuts in line, or who accepts criticism without getting defensive. A meek person has the power to fight back or retaliate but chooses a gentler path instead.

The word appears often in religious contexts: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” is a famous line from the Bible. This suggests that quiet strength and humility matter more than aggressive power.

However, meek can sometimes carry a negative sense, suggesting someone is too passive or timid and lets others walk all over them. If someone describes a character as “timid and meek,” they probably mean the person lacks confidence or courage. Context matters: being meek in the face of injustice might mean failing to stand up for what's right, while being meek when receiving fair correction shows maturity and grace.