Why Everyone is using this word on Social Media—And What It Really Means.

What’s a word that you think is overused these days?

Here’s one that I find popping up often—not in everyday conversations, but in our digital, written world: “humbled.”

I get it. “Humbled” is supposed to convey a self-effacing, non-bragging tone when sharing good news. It’s like a cousin to “humility,” which is probably why people use it so much.

But in our social media-driven world, it’s become the go-to opener for announcing achievements. You’ve seen it:

• I’m humbled to share my promotion…
• I’m humbled to have won this competition…
• I’m humbled to be selected as a speaker…

But here’s the thing—if you look up “humbled” in the dictionary, it’s not all warm and fuzzy. The word actually implies feelings of insignificance, inferiority, or being put in a low rank.

So, do we really feel insignificant or inferior when we’re thrilled about something amazing? Or is there another emotion at play?

Before you type out “humbled” in your next announcement, consider this: Are you genuinely feeling humbled, or just reaching for a word that sounds modest?

If you’re curious about how “humbled” became everyone’s favorite word, check out my longer post on the topic. Trust me, it’s worth the read!