abase
C2formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
to lower in rank, dignity, or esteem; to humble or degrade
to reduce oneself in status or moral standing, often through servile or demeaning behavior
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically implies a deliberate lowering of oneself or another, often with connotations of shame or loss of respect. Usually transitive, requiring an object (oneself or another person).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between UK and US English.
Connotations
Equally formal and literary in both varieties.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech in both regions; slightly more common in UK literary contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
abase oneself before someoneabase someone to somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bow and abase oneself”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear in formal critiques of unethical leadership: 'He would not abase himself to secure the deal.'
Academic
Found in literary criticism, history, and ethics discussions: 'The character's decision to abase himself reveals his moral conflict.'
Everyday
Extremely rare in casual conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He would not abase himself before the committee.
- The tyrant sought to abase his rivals.
American English
- She refused to abase herself to get the promotion.
- The scandal abased the entire administration.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form in use.
American English
- No standard adverb form in use.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form in use.
American English
- No standard adjective form in use.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The servant was forced to abase himself before the king.
- I will not abase my principles for money.
- Politicians sometimes abase themselves to win popular favour.
- Her pride prevented her from abasing herself with an apology.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BASE (foundation) being lowered (A-BASE) into the ground, representing lowering someone's status.
Conceptual Metaphor
STATUS IS HEIGHT (to abase is to lower height/status)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'abase' (унижать) и 'abuse' (оскорблять, злоупотреблять).
- Не переводить как 'снижать' в материальном смысле (например, цены).
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He abased' is incorrect).
- Confusing with 'abate' (to reduce in intensity).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'abase' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is typically transitive. You abase someone or abase yourself.
No, it is a formal, literary word most often encountered in written English at an advanced level.
'Abase' often implies a voluntary or deliberate lowering, while 'humiliate' focuses more on the feeling of shame inflicted, often by others.
The related noun is 'abasement', meaning the state of being abased.