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lowliness

lowliness

1 6.7
Being humble and not thinking you are better than others
  • noun
  • /ˈloʊlinəs/
  • Literature
translation icon : humildad
  • Shame derives from the converse: loose conduct in a woman, lowliness or cowardice in a man.

Instead, it's impetuous pride who gallops into the trap made for lowliness.

Examples

  • Or might the lowliness of rogues and the inarticulateness of barbarians make language impossible?

    Academic text (2009)
  • But 'tis a common proof that lowliness is young...

  • Learned in bodily lowliness and in the heart's pride.

  • Now, I've been embarrassed for so long with my behavior and trying to cover it up - but yesterday I reached a whole new level of lowliness.

    Blog text (25)
  • This harsh lifestyle stressed humility, lowliness, personal unworthiness, and guilt, especially during the first year, known as the novitiate year.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Asuncion Lavrin has pointed out that this strategy distinguished native women as God's faithful servants, on whom he bestowed his grace because of their simplicity and lowliness.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In her speech, she emphasized the importance of lowliness and humility in serving others.

  • His lowliness allowed him to connect with people from all walks of life.

  • Living a life of lowliness, she often put the needs of others before her own.

Synonyms

humility
vslowliness
105 3.8

Being modest and not thinking you are better than other people

also involves being of low rank or low social importance
modesty
vslowliness
27 3.5

Not being proud or bragging about your abilities

includes that modest attitude plus being of lesser rank or importance
inferiority
vslowliness
17 5.1

A state of being lower than others in ability, status or value

focuses more on humble attitude rather than negative self-judgement
humbleness
vslowliness
3 3.5

Not thinking you are better than other people

adds the sense of having a low rank or low importance
low status
vslowliness
1 3.7

A position lower than others in work or society

adds an inner modest attitude rather than only describing rank
unimportance
vslowliness
1 4.6

A situation or thing that is not worth much attention

includes being modest or humble as well as low importance
lower rank
vslowliness
1 3.5

A position lower than others in a group or at work

is broader, covering humble attitude as well as low position
lower status
vslowliness
1 3.9

A position that people see as less important or powerful than others

includes modesty or humility alongside lower social position
lowness
vslowliness
1 5.8

A position with little power or respect compared to others

adds a moral or personal modesty aspect beyond mere low position
unassumingness
vslowliness
7.9

Being modest and not showing off

is similar but also highlights being low in rank or importance
modestness
vslowliness
3.7

Being humble and not showing pride in yourself

extends this attitude by also meaning low social or official rank
abjectness
vslowliness
  • Formal
8.5

Extreme humbleness that makes a person show no pride and obey others

is like this but is not necessarily humiliating or degrading
demureness
vslowliness
7.7

A shy, modest way of behaving that shows being quiet and polite

focuses more on inner modesty and also on low social standing
obscureness
vslowliness
9.1

Being unknown and not famous

adds an attitude of humility or modesty beyond mere obscurity
subordinateness
vslowliness
9.9

Being less important or having less power than others

also carries the idea of modesty and lack of high status

Antonyms

663 1.0

A quality that makes something have great value or effect

1 3.7

A very large size or amount, like a mountain

How Humble

humility
105 3.8
lowliness
  • Literature
1 6.7
meekness
3 5.1
modesty
27 3.5

Surface Forms

lowliness singular
lowlinesses plural

Morphology

lowliness = lowly (transparent) = low + ly + ness

Standard noun formation from the adjective 'lowly' using '-ness' to indicate a state or quality.

Etymology

The word lowliness comes from the simple word low ('not high') plus the ending -ness that turns it into a quality or state. Think of someone staying close to the ground, not proud, and you have the idea of lowliness as being humble or of low rank.