Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having high moral qualities or ideals; showing greatness of character: A "noble" person or action is characterized by honesty, generosity, courage, and a strong sense of honor.
   • Belonging to a hereditary aristocracy with high social or political rank: "Noble" describes someone of high birth, such as a duke or lord, especially in historical contexts like feudal times.
   • Impressive in size, appearance, or grandeur; magnificent: "Noble" can describe something that is stately, dignified, and imposing.
   • (Chemistry) Inert; unreactive: In scientific contexts, a "noble" substance, like a gas or metal, is very stable and does not easily undergo chemical reactions.

2. Noun:

   • A person of high birth or rank, especially one belonging to the hereditary aristocracy: A "noble" is a peer, such as a duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • It was a noble gesture to donate his entire fortune to charity. (Describing a morally admirable action)
  • She comes from a noble family with a long history. (Describing aristocratic lineage)
  • They walked through the noble halls of the ancient castle. (Describing impressive appearance)
  • Gold is a noble metal because it does not corrode easily. (Describing chemical inertness)

• Noun:

  • The nobles gathered in the king's court to discuss the new law. (Referring to aristocratic people)

Advanced Usage

• "noble cause": A goal or principle that is morally right and worthy of support.
  • He fought and died for a noble cause.
• "noble savage": A literary concept portraying an indigenous person, uncorrupted by civilization, as embodying innate human goodness.
  • The novel explores the myth of the noble savage.
• "noble gas": (Chemistry) Any of the chemically inert gaseous elements in Group 18 of the periodic table (e.g., helium, neon, argon).
  • Argon, a noble gas, is often used in light bulbs.

Variants and Related Words

• Nobly (adverb): In a noble manner; with high moral principles or impressive grandeur.
  • He acted nobly in defending the truth.
• Nobility (noun):
  • The quality of being noble in character.

    • He was respected for his nobility of spirit.
  • The class of people belonging to the aristocracy.

    • The French Revolution challenged the power of the nobility.
• Nobleman / Noblewoman (noun): A man or woman of noble rank; an aristocrat.
  • The nobleman owned vast estates.

Synonyms

• Adjective (moral sense): Honorable, virtuous, magnanimous, lofty, dignified.
• Adjective (aristocratic sense): Aristocratic, blue-blooded, high-born, patrician.
• Adjective (impressive sense): Stately, majestic, imposing, grand, magnificent.

Antonyms

• Adjective (moral sense): Ignoble, base, dishonorable, despicable.
• Adjective (aristocratic sense): Common, low-born, plebeian.
• Adjective (impressive sense): Humble, modest, plain.

Idioms and Phrases

• "noble art": A euphemistic or old-fashioned term for the sport of boxing.
  • He was a master of the noble art.
• "to put up a noble fight": To resist or compete with great courage and determination, even if unsuccessful.
  • The team lost, but they put up a noble fight.

Adjective

1. inert especially toward oxygen
   • a noble gas such as helium or neon
   • noble metals include gold and silver and platinum
2. having or showing or indicative of high or elevated character
   • a noble spirit
   • noble deeds
3. of or belonging to or constituting the hereditary aristocracy especially as derived from feudal times
   • of noble birth
4. impressive in appearance
   • a baronial mansion
   • an imposing residence
   • a noble tree
   • severe-looking policemen sat astride noble horses
   • stately columns

Noun

1. a titled peer of the realm