nobility

noun

no·​bil·​i·​ty nō-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being noble in character, quality, or rank

2

: the body of persons forming the noble class in a country or state : aristocracy

Synonyms

• augustness
• brilliance
• gloriousness
• glory
• gorgeousness
• grandeur
• grandness
• magnificence
• majesty
• nobleness
• resplendence
• resplendency
• splendidness
• splendiferousness
• splendor
• stateliness
• stupendousness
• sublimeness
• superbness

Examples of nobility in a Sentence

the nobility of his character

They have shown great courage and nobility of purpose.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sam glimpses the joy and nobility of comradeship and thus begins her quest to save, if not the entire world, then her personal piece of it. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

These foods are believed to produce calmness and nobility, and increase magnetism. —Diane Owens Prettyman, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Sep. 2024

But when everything’s couched in prophecy, all that heartbreak and nobility evaporates. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024

There were seven Crusades, which cut down the flower of Europe’s nobility and annihilated innumerable poor serfs for a period of more than 150 years until 1270. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nobilite, from Anglo-French nobilité, from Latin nobilitat-, nobilitas, from nobilis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nobility

• the nobility

Kids Definition

nobility

noun

no·​bil·​i·​ty nō-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural nobilities

1

: the quality or state of being noble

nobility of character

2

: the body of persons forming the noble class in a country or state

a member of the nobility