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View synonyms for

modest

[ mod-ist ]

adjective

  1. having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  2. free from ostentation or showy extravagance:

    a modest house.

    Synonyms: ,

  3. having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.; decent:

    a modest neckline on a dress.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms: ,

  4. limited or moderate in amount, extent, etc.:

    a modest increase in salary.



modest

/ ˈɒɪ /

adjective

  1. having or expressing a humble opinion of oneself or one's accomplishments or abilities
  2. reserved or shy

    modest behaviour

  3. not ostentatious or pretentious
  4. not extreme or excessive; moderate
  5. decorous or decent
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈǻٱ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ǻ·· adverb
  • ··ǻ· adjective
  • ··ǻ··ness noun
  • ··ǻ· adjective
  • ··ǻ· adjective
  • ܲ·-ǻ· adjective
  • ··ǻ· adjective
  • ܲ·ǻ· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of modest1

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin modestus “restrained, decorous,” equivalent to modes- (stem of unattested modus, an s- stem akin to modus “measured amount, limit, manner” ( mode 1 ), perhaps from unattested medos, with the vowel of modus; compare ǻī “to moderate” ( moderate, from the same noun stem) + -tus adjective suffix
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Word History and Origins

Origin of modest1

C16: via Old French from Latin modestus moderate, from modus mode
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Synonym Study

Modest, demure, prudish imply conformity to propriety and decorum, and a distaste for anything coarse or loud. Modest implies a becoming shyness, sobriety, and proper behavior: a modest, self-respecting person. Demure implies a bashful, quiet simplicity, staidness, and decorum; but can also indicate an assumed or affected modesty: a demure young chorus girl. Prudish suggests an exaggeratedly self-conscious modesty or propriety in behavior or conversation of one who wishes to be thought of as easily shocked and who often is intolerant: a prudish objection to a harmless remark.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Sister Aimee, with her modest demeanor and overflow crowds, was a newsworthy curiosity.

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Her modest galley kitchen in Los Angeles retains its charming period tile and sky-high cabinets that reach the 14-foot ceiling.

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In late June, the Rangers were 10 games over .500, far outpacing modest preseason expectations.

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A friend from Colorado persuaded Lam to set up an Amazon wish list, which was filled with modest asks: pencils, glue, scissors and paper.

From

They appealed to the Supreme Court on procedural grounds and made what they described as “a modest request.”

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Modersohn-Beckermodestly