Ignoble
/ɪɡˈnoʊbəl/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Ignoble describes something or someone that is not noble in character or actions. It means being dishonest, unfair, or shameful instead of being good, kind, or honorable. This word is often used to describe bad behavior or motives that are selfish or wrong.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Describing behavior or actions that are shameful or dishonorable
- •His ignoble act of cheating ruined his reputation.
- •They called his decision ignoble because it hurt others for his own gain.
- •Ignoble motives often cause conflicts in stories and real life.
Describing a person who acts in a low or unfair way
- •The ignoble thief showed no regret for stealing.
- •She refused to forgive his ignoble behavior toward her friends.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "ignoble" like "bad" or "mean," but more about being shameful or not having good morals
- ✓Picture someone acting in a way that makes others feel disappointed or ashamed, like cheating or lying
- ✓It's the feeling you get when someone does something unfair or dishonorable, like breaking a promise
- ✓Sounds like "ig-NO-bull" → imagine saying "No!" loudly to something bad or shameful
- ✓Think of stories where a character acts badly, like a villain who tricks others without care
- ✓NOT like "noble" (which means good, honest, and respected)—"ignoble" is the opposite, low and shameful
- ✓NOT like "rude" (which is about manners)—"ignoble" is about deep moral wrong, not just being impolite
- ✓NOT like "poor" (which means low in money)—"ignoble" is about low character, not money
Try Other Words
- •Dishonorable: not deserving respect because of bad behavior (Use when focusing on lack of respect or honor)
- •Shameful: causing feelings of guilt or embarrassment (Use when emphasizing feelings caused by bad actions)
- •Base: low in moral quality or value (Use in formal or literary contexts)
- •Mean: unkind or unfair (Use in casual speech about unkind behavior)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "ig-" is a variation of "in-" meaning "not"
- •Root: "noble" means honorable, high in character or rank
- •Etymology: From Latin "ignobilis," meaning "not noble" or "unknown"
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe people not of noble birth, later extended to mean morally low or shameful
- •Modern usage: Used to describe actions, motives, or people that lack honor or are shameful in character
Reflect & Connect
•Can a person be both poor and ignoble? How do these words describe different parts of a person?
•How does calling an action ignoble affect how others see the person who did it?
Fill in the blanks
1.His ignoble behavior caused everyone to ___ trust him again.
2.People often feel ___ when they witness ignoble acts like cheating or lying.
3.Unlike noble actions that bring respect, ignoble actions bring ___ and shame.
4.The story showed how the hero overcame the ignoble ___ of the villain.
5.Ignoble motives often ___ selfishness or harm to others.
6.When someone acts ignoble, it usually means they do not care about ___ or fairness.
7.The politician's ignoble decisions made many voters feel ___ and disappointed.