What is the meaning of "humble?" How is being "humble" expressed and is there a value to be found in it? Humble is the root word for "humility." The meaning of "humility" is: The quality of being modest and respectful. Humility, in various interpretations, is widely seen as a virtue in many religious and philosophical traditions, being connected with notions of not having an ego. This is the meaning given by Wikipedia. Humility comes from the Latin word "humility" which is translated as humble