hum
Latinearth, ground, low; (extended) human; moist
About This Root
From Latin humus (earth, ground). The core image is 'close to the ground': humble means literally 'low,' and humility and humiliate grow from that earthiness. Because humans were seen as creatures made of earth, the same root family stands behind homo (human) → human, humane, humanity. A separate but look-alike branch, Latin humēre 'to be moist,' gives humid and — through the medieval theory of body fluids — humor.
Associated Words · 46
human
a person; relating to people
humor
The quality of being funny; a person's mood; to indulge someone
humanity
All human beings; the quality of being kind and compassionate
homicide
The killing of one person by another; a person who kills
humanitarian
A person devoted to improving human welfare; relating to humanitarianism
humble
Modest and not arrogant; to make someone feel less proud
humiliation
The act or experience of being made to feel ashamed and undignified
humidity
The level of moisture or water vapor in the air
humane
Showing kindness and compassion toward others
humiliate
To cause someone to feel deeply ashamed or lose self-respect
humility
The quality of being modest and humble
humorous
Funny or amusing; causing laughter
humid
Containing high levels of moisture in the air; damp
humankind
All human beings; the human race
humanism
A philosophy emphasizing human values and reason; the Renaissance classical movement
humanist
A believer in humanism; a scholar of the humanities
humanistic
Relating to humanism or human values
humanize
To make more humane or give human qualities to something
humbly
In a modest, unassuming manner
posthumous
Occurring or published after a person's death
inhumane
Cruel and lacking compassion; causing unnecessary suffering
exhume
To dig up a buried body; to bring something hidden to light
dehumanize
To deprive someone of human qualities or dignity
humorist
A person skilled at humor, especially in writing or performance