The everyday meek definition is quiet, gentle and humble, a person who does not push, argue or show off. In modern speech it often adds a second idea: so mild that the person gives in easily or lets others take advantage. A new intern who whispers "sorry" before every question might be described as meek.
Praise or criticism? That hangs on the speaker. In religious writing, especially the Bible, meekness is praised as a strength. In an office review, being called meek may mean you need to speak up more.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
Gentle, humble and mild; easily imposed onPart of speech
Adjective (also "the meek" as a group noun)Pronunciation
MEEK, rhymes with weekWord forms
meeker, meekest, meekly, meeknessOrigin
Middle English, probably from Old Norse mjúkr, "soft, pliant"; recorded from the late 1100sOpposite
bold, assertive, defiant, forcefulRegister
Neutral; slightly old fashioned in praise
Meek definition: the gentle sense and the weak sense
To define meek well, you need both of its faces:
- Gentle and humble. Patient, mild in manner, not proud or aggressive. This older sense is admiring.
- Too submissive. Quick to obey and unwilling to stand up for oneself. This sense, recorded from around 1300, dominates casual talk today.
The line between them is thin. A meek reply can be either calm restraint or a lack of courage, and the context tells you which.
What does meek mean in the Bible? Verses and sense
The definition of meek in scripture differs from office talk. In English Bibles the word appears in some well known lines. Psalm 37 and the blessings Jesus gives in Matthew 5:5 both say that the meek will inherit the earth. Moses is called very meek in Numbers 12:3, and in Matthew 11:29 Jesus describes himself as meek and lowly in heart. Meekness also appears in older translations of Galatians 5:23 among the qualities that faith produces, where many modern versions say gentleness.
The Hebrew word behind many of these verses, anav, carries the sense of humble and lowly, and the Greek praus means gentle or mild. Christian teachers often explain the meek meaning in the Bible as strength under control: a person who could fight back but chooses patience, trusts God and does not seek revenge. In that reading meekness is close to humility and is not weakness at all.
Meek in sentences
- He gave a meek nod and handed over his phone to the teacher.
- Behind her meek manner was a sharp mind that noticed every mistake in the report.
- The puppy looked meek after chewing the sofa cushion.
- Do not mistake his meekness for agreement; he simply listens before he speaks.
- "Okay," she said meekly, though she clearly wanted to argue.
Pairings and grammar
Meek is an adjective that works before a noun (a meek voice, a meek apology, a meek smile) or after verbs like seem and look (he seemed meek). It forms meeker and meekest. With the, it becomes a group noun for meek people, as in "the meek". The fixed phrase meek and mild describes someone very gentle, sometimes with a hint of mockery, and meek as a lamb is a common simile.
Where the word came from
Records of meek go back to the late 1100s with the sense "gentle, patient under provocation", and early uses also included humility. It most likely came from a Scandinavian source such as Old Norse mjúkr, soft or pliant. Deeper roots before that are uncertain. The weaker sense of "submissive, easily pushed around" developed by about 1300.
Meek next to similar and opposite words
| Word | Shade of meaning |
|---|---|
| meek | Gentle and quiet; may give in too easily |
| humble | Not proud; modest about oneself |
| timid | Lacking courage; nervous |
| docile | Easy to control or teach |
| assertive | Opposite: states needs and views confidently |
Shy people may seem meek, but shyness is about discomfort with others, while meekness is about not pushing back. Similar temperament words fill people and feelings.
Frequently asked questions
Is calling someone meek a compliment?
Sometimes. In religious and older writing it is praise for gentleness and patience. In everyday speech it often hints at weakness or being too quick to give in.
What does blessed are the meek mean?
It is a line from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:5. Many readers take it to mean that gentle, humble people who do not grab power will be rewarded by God, even if the world overlooks them.
Does meek mean weak?
Not necessarily. The original idea is gentleness and self control. Many writers on the Bible describe meekness as strength held back by choice, while modern casual use leans closer to weakness.
What is a meek person like?
A meek person speaks softly, avoids conflict, rarely boasts and often accepts what others decide. Whether that is admirable or a problem depends on the situation.
How do you turn meek into a noun?
The noun is meekness. The adverb is meekly, as in "she meekly agreed".
What is the opposite of meek?
Bold, assertive, defiant or forceful. Arrogant is also an opposite in the humble sense of the word.