modest

American  

[mod-ist] / ˈmɒd ɪst /

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.

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modest British  

/ 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

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• hypermodest adjective
• hypermodestness noun
• modestly adverb
• overmodest adjective
• pseudomodest adjective
• quasi-modest adjective
• supermodest adjective
• unmodest adjective

Etymology

Origin of modest

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” ( see mode ¹), perhaps from unattested medos, with the vowel of modus; compare moderārī “to moderate” ( see moderate, from the same noun stem) + -tus adjective suffix

Explanation

A person is modest if he or she is very successful but does not call attention to this. Modest generally means "big enough but not huge" — like a modest house or a modest income. An ambitious person will not be satisfied with modest progress. Around the turn of the 17th century, modest referred to proper or decent dress and behavior especially in women. Although this is considered dated today, modest is still used for people who are shy about showing their body. If you are modest, you might wear your t-shirt when you swim.

Example Sentences

Although volume growth was modest, higher bullion prices lifted the total value of demand to a record of $193 billion, the council said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Talk to friends who have savings and modest salaries and ask what they do, and do what they do.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026

Investors await news on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s future, as his departure from the board could lead to a modest dollar sell-off.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

About 120 guests sardined into the modest backyard of Sonenshein’s Santa Monica childhood home, with a veritable who’s who of the L.A. restaurant scene doing double duty as attendees and vendors.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

From this modest, cramped perch, Harvey conjured up big plans for the CIA's secret war against the communist enemy.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Related Words

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