Question

Choose the word/phrase which is opposite in meaning to the italicized word/phrase in the sentence.
Mrs. Higgins is a humble lady.
a- Whimsical
b- Youthful
c- Proud
d- Unassuming

Answer 1

Hint: An antonym or an opposite refers to a word that is contrary in meaning to another word. Example- Young is an antonym of old. ‘Humble’ refers to the quality of being meek and showing less importance to one’s own efforts and achievements.

Complete answer:
The word ‘humble’ has been derived from the Latin word- Humilis, which means low or lowly.
We know the meaning and the origin of the word, ‘humble’. Now, let’s look at its usage:
Example- Our boss is a humble man despite being a billionaire. Here, we can understand that X and Y’s boss is a self-effacing person who shows less importance to his wealth.
In the given question- We can conclude that Mrs. Higgins is a meek and respectful lady.
Let’s decipher the meaning of the given options-
Option a- ‘Whimsical’ refers to the quality of being unpredictable or changeable. Example- The Prime minister highlighted the benefits of a whimsical economic cycle. ‘Whimsical’ is different in meaning to humble. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Option b- ‘Youthful’ refers to a person who is young or fresh-faced. Example- A lot of ladies have bought this cream to remain youthful. ‘Youthful’ is different in meaning to humble. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Option c- ‘Proud’ refers to the quality of considering others or one’s achievements, efforts and abilities as important. Example- My mother was proud of my speech. ‘Proud’ is the opposite of meaning to humble. Hence, it is the correct option.
Option d- ‘Unassuming’ refers to the quality of being modest or humble. Example- My father is an unassuming man. ‘Unassuming’ is similar in meaning to humble. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
So, the correct answer is “Option c”.

Note:
Carefully read the meaning of the given word and its options before choosing the most suitable answer. Some commonly used antonyms of ‘humble’ are overbearing, proud, impolite, etc.