noble

/nɔbl/
of high moral character or idealistic

Il a fait un geste noble en aidant les sans-abri.

He made a noble gesture by helping the homeless.


formal

Having or showing qualities appropriate to high moral principles and idealism; worthy of respect.

Son comportement noble a inspiré beaucoup de gens.

His noble behavior inspired many people.

Often used to describe people with high moral standards or noble intentions.

formal

Belonging to or characteristic of the nobility; aristocratic.

La famille royale a des origines nobles.

The royal family has noble origins.

Refers to lineage or social status, often historical.

Collocations

un geste noblea noble gestureune cause noblea noble causeun cœur noblea noble heart

Related Phrases

noble de cœurphrase
noble in heart
noble causephrase
a worthy or just cause

Pro Tip

Context Matters

'Noble' can refer to moral character or aristocratic status, so context is key.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

Use 'noble' sparingly to maintain its impact, as it is a strong descriptor.

Word Origin

From Latin 'nobilis', meaning 'well-known, distinguished, famous'.

Usage Notes

In modern French, 'noble' is often used to describe moral character rather than social status.

Word Breakdown

nob-
known, famous
root
+
-le
suffix indicating quality or state
suffix
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais