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 WebCatherine Sabino, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
In that light, Maya’s determination to break the cycle with her own students feels all the more noble.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for noble 
Adjective
Women wove the family plots that led to marriages and ties between the great noble lines from the Middle Ages until the end of the nineteenth century.
—Catherine Sabino, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
In that light, Maya’s determination to break the cycle with her own students feels all the more noble.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for noble
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'noble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near noble
Cite this Entry
“Noble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noble. Accessed 3 May. 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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