meekness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal, literary, religious
Quick answer
What does “meekness” mean?
The quality of being quiet, gentle, and submissive, without easily resisting or complaining.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality of being quiet, gentle, and submissive, without easily resisting or complaining.
A personality trait or state of humbly enduring provocation or adversity without retaliation, often associated with patience and humility; can imply a spiritual or moral virtue in religious contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or definitional differences. Both use the word identically.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used in religious contexts in the US due to higher prevalence of biblical language in public discourse. In the UK, it's more strongly marked as literary/archaic.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, but perhaps marginally more familiar in general American English due to religious exposure.
Grammar
How to Use “meekness” in a Sentence
meekness of [person/character]meekness in the face of [adversity/provocation]meekness towards [authority/figure]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meekness” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- meeken (archaic, very rare)
American English
- meeken (archaic, very rare)
adverb
British English
- He nodded meekly in agreement.
- She meekly accepted the unfair verdict.
American English
- He meekly followed instructions.
- She smiled meekly and looked away.
adjective
British English
- His meek demeanour belied a fierce intellect.
- She gave a meek reply to the harsh criticism.
American English
- His meek demeanor hid a strong will.
- She was too meek to ask for the raise she deserved.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in critiques of leadership style: 'His perceived meekness was a disadvantage in negotiations.'
Academic
Used in theological, philosophical, literary, or historical studies discussing virtues, character, or biblical themes.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. If used, often with a note of surprise or criticism: 'I was shocked by her meekness during the meeting.'
Technical
Not a technical term in most fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meekness”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meekness”
- Misspelling as 'meakness'. Confusing with 'weakness' (meekness is a behavioural trait, weakness is a general lack of strength). Using it in positive modern contexts without clarifying the (often religious) frame.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent. In religious/biblical contexts, it's a major virtue. In modern secular contexts, especially business or situations requiring assertiveness, it often has a negative connotation of being too submissive.
Humility is a broad quality of being modest and not arrogant. Meekness is more specific, describing a gentle, patient, and submissive reaction to treatment by others, often in the face of provocation. All meek people are humble in that situation, but not all humble people display meekness.
Yes, the collocations 'false meekness' and 'outward meekness' are common, suggesting someone can pretend to be meek for strategic or manipulative reasons.
Yes, 'meek' is the standard adjective. The verb 'meeken' exists but is archaic and virtually never used in modern English.
The quality of being quiet, gentle, and submissive, without easily resisting or complaining.
Meekness is usually formal, literary, religious in register.
Meekness: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːknəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiːknəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The meek shall inherit the earth.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'meek' sheep. A sheep is quiet, gentle, and follows without complaint – that's MEEKNESS.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEENKNESS IS LACK OF STRENGTH/RESISTANCE (e.g., 'crushed with meekness'). MEEKNESS IS A VALUABLE BUT UNASSUMING POSSESSION (e.g., 'clothed in meekness').
Practice
Quiz
In a modern business context, describing someone's 'meekness' most likely carries what connotation?