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
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
1
: a person of noble rank or birth
2
: an old English gold coin equivalent to 6 shillings and 8 pence
Synonyms
Examples of noble in a Sentence
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
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
No matter how well-intentioned a policy goal or noble a humanitarian cause, there are always tradeoffs to weigh before deciding on a course of action.
—Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Anne Easton, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
This is because, for centuries, equestrianism has been considered a hobby, sport, pastime, and passion for Royal families and nobles in European nations.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for noble 
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Adjective
In the Price family, going to prison was seen as a badge of honor, or a rite of passage; but the reality of it doesn’t feel half as noble as the idea.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
No matter how well-intentioned a policy goal or noble a humanitarian cause, there are always tradeoffs to weigh before deciding on a course of action.
—Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
One Person, One Vote? sets out to change that by looking at four 2020 presidential electors, a Republican, a Democrat, a Green, and of course, a Kanye West elector, all of whose motivations range from the noble to somewhat absurd.
—Anne Easton, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
This is because, for centuries, equestrianism has been considered a hobby, sport, pastime, and passion for Royal families and nobles in European nations.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for noble
Articles Related to noble
Dictionary Entries Near noble
Cite this Entry
“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noble. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
noble
1 of 2 adjective
no·ble
ˈnō-bəl
nobler
-b(ə-)lər
; noblest
-b(ə-)ləst
; noblest
-b(ə-)ləst
2
: of high birth or rank : aristocratic
3
: possessing very high qualities : excellent
4
: grand especially in appearance : imposing
a noble cathedral
5
: having or characterized by superiority of mind or character : magnanimous
a noble nature
6
: chemically inactive especially toward oxygen
noble metal
noble
2 of 2 noun
: a person of noble rank or birth
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