humilier

to humiliate

verb ew-mee-LYEH Less Common

Origin: Latin 'humiliare' (to make low)

Usage Note

humilier implies a public or deliberate act of lowering someone's dignity. The reflexive s'humilier means to humble or demean oneself. The related noun is humiliation (f), and the adjective humiliant describes something that is humiliating. It is stronger than embarrasser (to embarrass).

Examples

"Il ne voulait pas humilier son adversaire."

Natural Translation

He didn't want to humiliate his opponent.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Je t'aime vs Je t'adore: I Love You in French

Je t'aime is the real romantic I love you; je t'adore means warm fondness, not romance. Here's the person-vs-thing rule and the bien trap that flips it.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Faire in French: To Make, To Do, and More

Faire in French means more than make and do: master faire vs rendre, weather and sports idioms, the causative, and the mistakes English speakers make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Greetings: Bonjour, Salut, Coucou Explained

Bonjour, salut, or coucou? Pick the right French greeting every time with a simple two-axis guide to formality and time of day, plus how to say goodbye.

June 4, 2026 5 min read