ennoble

verb

en·​no·​ble i-ˈnō-bəl How to pronounce ennoble (audio)
e-ˈnō-
ennobled; ennobling i-ˈnō-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce ennoble (audio)
e-ˈnō-

transitive verb

1
: to make noble : elevate
seemed ennobled by suffering
2
: to raise to the rank of nobility
ennoblement noun

Examples of ennoble in a Sentence

a life ennobled by suffering Her skill and talent ennoble her profession. He was ennobled by the queen.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These days, college football can look more like the vast military industrial complex than any ennobling pursuit. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024 And, second, that ownership of great literature in its most talismanic form will ennoble you. Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 Other dishes that meld California-modern and Colombian cuisines command the energetic room’s attention: A take on the now classic California Brussels sprouts side dish is ennobled with plantain crumble. Sunset Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024 Shostakovich’s detractors have accused him of ennobling Stalin while defenders have sought out subtle musical cues of dissent. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ennoble 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ennobelen, from Middle French ennoblir, from Old French, from en- + noble noble

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ennoble was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ennoble

Cite this Entry

“Ennoble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ennoble. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ennoble

verb
en·​no·​ble in-ˈō-bəl How to pronounce ennoble (audio)
ennobled; ennobling -b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce ennoble (audio)
1
: to make noble : elevate
seemed ennobled by his hardship
2
: to raise to the rank of nobility
ennoblement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ennoble

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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