| English Dictionary |
MEEK
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does meek mean?
• MEEK (adjective)
The adjective MEEK has 3 senses:
1. humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
2. very docile
3. evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant
Familiarity information: MEEK used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
| Declension: comparative and superlative |
Superlative: meekest
Sense 1
Meaning:
Humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
Synonyms:
Context example:
meek and self-effacing
Similar:
humble (marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful)
Derivation:
meekness (a disposition to be patient and long suffering)
meekness (the feeling of patient, submissive humbleness)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Very docile
Synonyms:
meek; tame
Context example:
meek as a mouse
Similar:
docile (willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed)
Derivation:
meekness (the feeling of patient, submissive humbleness)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant
Synonyms:
meek; spiritless
Context example:
was submissive and subservient
Similar:
submissive (inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination)
Derivation:
meekness (a disposition to be patient and long suffering)
Context examples
"And he will come back shortly, and he will be meek and soft of speech in the days to follow."
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
“Yes, sir,” was the meek reply, as the offending head disappeared into the galley.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
“One of your fine gentlemen he was! I was very meek and umble—and I am. But I didn't like that sort of thing—and I don't!”
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
But the princess was very gentle and meek, so she said nothing to her maid’s ill behaviour, but got upon her horse again.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
How meek for yourself, and how bold for a stranger!
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
"Yes'm." was the meek answer, as he began, doing his best to prove his gratitude for the favor of admission into the 'Busy Bee Society'.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Your slave-morality of the meek and lowly will never save you.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
I think (with deference be it spoken) the contrast could not be much greater between a sleek gander and a fierce falcon: between a meek sheep and the rough-coated keen-eyed dog, its guardian.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
He was the meekest of his sex, the mildest of little men.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
The lay-brother stood meek and silent, with his arms still crossed in front of him.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"When there is heart, there is pain." (Albanian proverb)
"While the word is yet unspoken, you are master of it; when once it is spoken, it is master of you." (Arabic proverb)
"He who has nothing will not eat. If you want flour, go gather chestnuts." (Corsican proverb)