noble

SayNOH-buhl/ˈnoʊbəl/UK/ˈnəʊbəl/

Noun pluralnobles

8 meanings of noble

1
good characteradjective
Showing good, honest character and acting in a fair, kind way.
Like a hero in a story who always does the right thing.
It was a noble thing to give up his seat for the tired old man.
She made a noble choice when she told the truth, even though it hurt her.
UsageSay a noble cause. You can say nobler or more noble.
Similarhonorable
Oppositedespicable, vile, ignoble, mean
Note
2
upper classadjective
Coming from a high-ranking family, such as lords and ladies.
Like the royal families you read about in fairy tales.
The noble family owned land across three counties.
She married into a noble household with ancient titles.
Oppositeinferior, plebeian
3
person of ranknouncountable
A person born into a high-ranking family, such as a lord or duke.
Like a lord or lady in old stories.
The noble bowed low before the king.
Each noble swore loyalty to the crown.
UsageSay the nobles. The opposite is commoner.
Similararistocrat, peer, lord, patrician
Oppositecommoner, plebeian
4
grandadjective
Very grand, beautiful, and impressive to look at.
Like a huge mountain that makes you stop and stare.
They stood before a noble old oak that towered over the field.
The hall had a noble look, with tall windows and high ceilings.
Similargrand, stately, magnificent, imposing, majestic
Oppositehumble, modest, unimpressive
5
chemistryadjective
Of a metal or gas, not easily reacting with other substances.
Like a shy person who stays apart and won't join in with the crowd.
Gold is a noble metal, so it does not rust or tarnish easily.
Helium is a noble gas that almost never reacts with anything.
UsageSay noble gas or noble metal.
Similarinert, unreactive
Oppositebase, reactive
Note

Less common meanings

6
wine grapeadjective
Of a grape type, one of the few kinds long seen as best for making wine.
Like the star players a coach always picks first for the team.
Chardonnay is a noble grape grown in vineyards around the world.
They planted only noble varieties to make the finest wine.
UsageSay noble grapes.
Note
7
gold coinnounhistoricalcountable
An old English gold coin used in the 1300s and 1400s, usually worth six shillings and eight pence.
Like a gold coin you might find in a pirate's treasure chest.
He paid the merchant with a single gold noble.
I lyked no thynge his playe, / For yf I had not quyckely fledde the touche, / He had plucte oute the nobles of my pouche.
1499, John Skelton, The Bowge of CourteHere, nobles means old gold coins, so he nearly took the money from my purse.
Note
8
adjective
Of a 3D shape, having all faces the same and all corners the same.

Practice

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Origin

It came through Old French from Latin nōbilis, meaning 'well-known' or 'high-born', from a word meaning 'to know'.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

Noble came through Old French from Latin nōbilis. en.wiktionary.org
Nōbilis meant 'well-known' or 'high-born'. en.wiktionary.org
Nōbilis derives from a verb meaning 'to know'. en.wiktionary.org