nobly

UK: /ˈnəʊbli/ US: (nō′blē)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

no•bly  (nō′blē), adv. 

1. in a noble manner.
2. courageously;
   bravely;
   gallantly.
3. splendidly;
   superbly;
   magnificently.
4. of noble ancestry:
   nobly born.

• Middle English nobliche. See noble, -ly 1250–1300

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

no•ble /ˈnoʊbəl/   adj., -bler, -blest, n. 
adj. 

1. having a high rank or title, esp. of or belonging to a class with special social or political status given by birth.
2. of a high moral character or excellence:
   It was very noble of him to accept the blame.
3. grand in appearance;
   magnificent:
   a noble mansion.
4. Chemistry (of chemicals) inert;
   chemically inactive;
   seldom combining with other substances:
   [before a noun] the noble gases.

n. [countable]

5. a nobleman or noblewoman.

no•ble•ness, n. [uncountable]
no•bly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

no•ble  (nō′bəl), adj., -bler, -blest, n. 
adj. 

1. distinguished by rank or title.
2. pertaining to persons so distinguished.
3. of, belonging to, or constituting a hereditary class that has special social or political status in a country or state;
   of or pertaining to the aristocracy.
4. of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence;
   lofty:
   a noble thought.
5. admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution, or composition:
   a noble poem.
6. very impressive or imposing in appearance;
   stately;
   magnificent:
   a noble monument.
7. of an admirably high quality;
   notably superior;
   excellent.
8. famous;
   illustrious;
   renowned.
9. Chemistry inert;
   chemically inactive.
10. Sport [Falconry.] (of a hawk) having excellent qualities or abilities.

n. 

11. a person of noble birth or rank;
    nobleman or noblewoman.
12. Currency, British Terms a former gold coin of England, first issued in 1346 by Edward III, equal to half a mark or 6s. 8d., replaced in 1464 under Edward IV by the rose noble.
13. British Terms (in Britain) a peer.

• Latin (g)nōbilis notable, of high rank, equivalent. to (g)nō-, base of (g)nōscere to get to know, find out (see know¹) + -bilis -ble
• Old French
• Middle English 1175–1225

no′ble•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 3. highborn, aristocratic.
• 4. honorable.
  Noble, high-
  minded, magnanimous agree in referring to lofty principles and loftiness of mind or spirit.
  Noble implies a loftiness of character or spirit that scorns the petty, mean, base, or dishonorable:
  a noble deed.
  High-
  minded implies having elevated principles and consistently adhering to them:
  a high-minded pursuit of legal reforms.
  Magnanimous suggests greatness of mind or soul, esp. as manifested in generosity or in overlooking injuries:
  magnanimous toward his former enemies.
• 6. grand, lordly, splendid.
• 11. peer, aristocrat.

Antonyms

• 3. lowborn, base.