French word

noblesse

Pronunciation

IPA/noblɛs/

Meaning

  • feminine nounnobility

Example

La noblesse a perdu ses privilèges.

The nobility lost its privileges.

Illustration for noblesse (nobility)

More examples

Il a fait preuve de noblesse en aidant un inconnu.

He showed nobility by helping a stranger.

Core concept

A privileged birth-based class, or the elevated character associated with honor and moral dignity.

Common phrases

  • la noblesse

    the nobility

  • faire preuve de noblesse

    show nobility

  • la noblesse du cœur

    nobility of heart

Similar words

aristocrate: A person of noble rank, identified by hereditary status or a title.
noble: A person belonging to the nobility.
aristocratie: A ruling political and social elite composed of nobles.

Definition in French

État ou condition d'appartenir à une classe privilégiée par la naissance, et, par extension, état de dignité ou d'élévation morale.

Word origin

French noblesse comes through Old French from Latin nobilitas, based on nobilis, meaning noble or well-known.

Usage tips

  • La noblesse is a feminine collective noun for the aristocratic class, while les nobles refers to its individual members.

Opposites

  • plèbethe common peoplenoun

Related words

  • noblenobleadjective
  • ennoblirennobleverb

Word lists with this word