demure

[ dih-myoor ]

adjective

, de·mur·er, de·mur·est.

1. characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved.

   Synonyms: retiring

   Antonyms: indecorous

2. affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate.

   Antonyms: indecorous

demure

/ dɪˈmjʊə /

adjective

1. sedate; decorous; reserved
2. affectedly modest or prim; coy

Derived Forms

• deˈmureness, noun
• deˈmurely, adverb

Other Words From

• de·murely adverb
• de·mureness noun
• unde·mure adjective
• unde·murely adverb
• unde·mureness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of demure¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English dem(e)ur(e) “well-mannered, grave,” from Anglo-French demuré, past participle of demurer “to demur”; perhaps influenced by Old French mur, mëur “grave, mature” (from Latin matūrus ); demur

Word History and Origins

Origin of demure¹

C14: perhaps from Old French demorer to delay, linger; perhaps influenced by meur ripe, mature

Synonym Study

See modest.

Example Sentences

On the more demure “Plastic on the Sofa,” she proclaims she likes it rough, before making it clear she needs “more nudity and ecstasy” on the sex-positive “Virgo’s Groove.”

From Time

A demure EarFun logo is located at the center, flagged by two rubber cylinders housing passive bass radiators measuring slightly over 2 inches.

From Popular-Science

Arnon’s coy grins and demure evasions make it seem as if he treats this incident—and, by extension, the criminal justice system—as simply a game to be won rather than a serious process whose fundamental concern is achieving justice.

From The Daily Beast

There’s a similar feeling of “wow” you’ll experience when you turn this demure-looking speaker all the way up.

From Popular-Science

They are so demure and old-fashioned that only the elderly use it.

From Washington Blade

His reviews, rightly, call him “sweet,” “demure,”  “easygoing.”

From The Daily Beast

The cover was relatively demure given more recent issues and seemed to signal a turning point for the softcore sex magazine.

From The Daily Beast

Kate wore one of her trusty stand-bys, a full-length LK Bennet coat, in red, natch, and demure black heels.

From The Daily Beast

Trim and demure, she is, for one thing, seemingly an eighth of his size.

From The Daily Beast

Chris was brilliant, deferential, even demure, full of conviction.

From The Daily Beast

On the other hand, Vera Galloway was transformed into a demure-looking shop assistant waiting a customers' orders.

From Project Gutenberg

What scenes, what tragedies, what comedies, those bright houses and demure little villas concealed.

From Project Gutenberg

You never saw a more demure, harmless and even helpless looking bit of a thing in your life.

From Project Gutenberg

Father Letheby, at the end of the table, looked as demure as a nun.

From Project Gutenberg

We little thought what you were up to, so grave and demure as you both were.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• prim
• reticent
• timid
• unassuming