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: unobtrusive, unpretentious, unassuming, retiring

2. free from ostentation or showy extravagance:

   a modest house.

   Synonyms: unobtrusive, unpretentious

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

   a modest neckline on a dress.

   Synonyms: virtuous, pure

   Antonyms: coarse, bold

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

   a modest increase in salary.

modest

/ ˈmɒdɪst /

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

Derived Forms

• ˈmodestly, adverb

Other Words From

• mod·est·ly adverb
• hy·per·mod·est adjective
• hy·per·mod·est·ness noun
• o·ver·mod·est adjective
• pseu·do·mod·est adjective
• qua·si-mod·est adjective
• su·per·mod·est adjective
• un·mod·est adjective

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 moderārī “to moderate” ( moderate, from the same noun stem) + -tus adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of modest¹

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

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.

Example Sentences

Instead of walking away from NAFTA, he renegotiated a very modest revision of its underlying structure, borrowing heavily from painstaking work that the Obama administration had undertaken as part of its ultimately unsuccessful push for the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership.

From Slate

They’ve sometimes relied on a more modest backup option: asking judges to acknowledge rights to access abortion in cases of threats to life or health.

From Slate

This, combined with modest business investment spending, serves as the foundation for a favorable earnings environment, Haworth said.

From Salon

But these fleeting moments of weakness underscore the character’s fragility, just as Glenn Close’s modest singing ability served her devastating portrayal of Norma Desmond in the 1994 Broadway premiere.

From Los Angeles Times

His two weekend programs, “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?” and “The Chris Wallace Show,” are modest performers in the ratings for the network.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• humble
• moderate
• prudent
• quiet
• simple
• unassuming