modestly

[ mod-ist-lee ]

adverb

1. reflecting a moderate or humble estimate of one’s merits, importance, etc.; not boastfully:

   He modestly puts all of his success down to timing.

2. in a way that is free from showy extravagance; not ostentatiously:

   For a billionaire, he lives rather modestly in a home he bought decades ago.

3. in a way that shows regard for decency in behavior, speech, dress, etc.:

   When visiting religious sites, avoid offense by dressing modestly: cover your shoulders, torsos, and thighs.

4. within reasonable limits; moderately:

   A modestly priced economy car may be more appropriate for your teenage driver.

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of modestly¹

modest ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Biden talked of being a “transformative” president, but Harris has framed her agenda more modestly, as solving problems incrementally.

From Los Angeles Times

He modestly shrugged at the suggestion, however, saying there are still “bad days that y’all don’t see.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Here’s this girl from a family of eight in Nutley, N.J., living modestly, who gets a good idea, builds it into something really fine and profits from it,” she says in “Martha,” a documentary premiering Wednesday on Netflix.

From Los Angeles Times

Many analysts attribute the disconnect to two key elements: One is bad memories of high inflation especially in 2022, which means that prices for groceries and other goods, while now growing far more modestly, remain on the whole about 20% higher than before the pandemic.

From Los Angeles Times

Over at the modestly sized counterprotest across the street on the steps of Moynihan Train Hall, a few teenage girls joined in with homemade signs.

From Slate

Related Words

• humbly
• plainly
• quietly
• simply